Maxie Aw Yeong Business Times 1 Mar 11;
ECONOMIC progress and environmental development must always go hand in hand, and this is especially important for a small country like Singapore, said Tan Gee Paw, chairman of Public Utilities Board (PUB).
Describing the relationship between economic development and the environment as 'both a partnership and a conflict', Mr Tan said: 'If we do not take care of the environment, the economical side (of Singapore) will stagnate.'
Mr Tan was speaking to professionals from the public service, private sector, and also academics at a dialogue conducted by the Centre for Liveable Cities.
There are two factors that have been driving PUB, Mr Tan said. One is the critical role that the environment plays in Singapore's progress and the other is environmental public health.
'These are the two basics that have not changed since then,' he said.
Environmental public health, he emphasised, is of utmost importance to a densely-populated country like Singapore, as it is difficult to seal off an area should there be a break-out. 'Environmental public health is the only safeguard against infectious disease,' he said.
During the dialogue, Mr Tan also spoke about how long-term planning is of importance to any country, regardless of current economic situation. If adequate planning is not done, it will lead to problems later on, he said.
'Long-term planning must come upfront - you are in a better position to take advantage when the economy blooms,' he said.
'You have to do it from day one,' he added.
Mr Tan was asked about the flash floods that occurred at Orchard Road last year. He replied: 'All we can do is to minimise flooding. No one can predict great storms 100 per cent.' He added: 'PUB will always have flood alleviation programmes for areas that are flood-prone.'
