Aedes: 74 construction sites in Selangor shut down

Seventy-three per cent or 74 out of 102 construction sites inspected under 'Ops Gempur' in Selangor from Feb 10 to March 6 has been ordered closed for cleaning work to ensure it is free from Aedes breeding.

Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said of the total number inspected, 87 construction sites or 85 per cent had breeding grounds for disease-carrying insects and all would be prosecuted.

"Although the number of dengue cases at construction sites are lesser when compared with residential areas but we continue to take integrated action," he told reporters after launching the Road Complaint Mobile Application, here today.

The number of dengue fever cases reported from the beginning of this year until March 18 is 30,033 compared with 21,111 cases recorded for the same period last year with an increase of 8,922 cases.

There were 95 dengue deaths compared with 50 deaths for the same period last year.

In another development, Fadillah said the Construction Industry Transformation Plan (CITP) has been been developed to make the construction industry a sector that contributes positively to economic growth.

CITP has set targets to be achieved including a growth rate of 10 per cent per annum for the industry and increasing by 10 per cent the number of contractors who are recognised by an international health and safety standards independent body.

On construction of permanent houses to replace badly damaged houses of flood victims in several states at the end of last year, Fadillah said until March 23, 172 permanent houses were being built namely 100 in Kelantan, 39 in Pahang, seven in Terengganu and 26 in Perak.

"I hope the construction work for these permanent homes can be completed before Ramadan so that victims benefit from it," he said.