20 February 2000

SPEECH BY RADM TEO CHEE HEAN, MINISTER FOR EDUCATION AND SECOND MINISTER FOR DEFENCE AND MP FOR PASIR RIS GRC AT THE COMPLETION CEREMONY FOR THE INTERIM UPGRADING PROGRAMME (BATCH 3) HELD AT BLOCK 419 TAMPINES STREET 41 ON SUNDAY 20 FEBRUARY 2000 AT 11.30 AM

1. Good morning, Mr Ong Kian Min, Mr Charles Chong and Mr Ahmad Magad, MPs for Pasir Ris GRC, Town Councillors, grassroots leaders, residents, ladies and gentlemen.

INTRODUCTION
2. I am delighted to be here this morning to commemorate the Completion Ceremony of our second Interim Upgrading Programme (IUP) for Pasir Ris GRC. I would like to congratulate the grassroots leaders and residents of Block 418 to Block 424 Tampines Street 41 for the successful completion of the project.

3. The IUP would not be possible if not for your tremendous support and zeal to see it become a reality. A whopping 96.14% of you voted "YES" for the upgrading during our Launching Ceremony in December 1997.

FRUITION
4. We are finally able to see the fruition of the IUP after many months of hard work. Everyone has played a part in the upgrading process, from giving and garnering feedback by grassroots leaders and residents, to the design, preparation and coordination of this project.

5. The new and improved facilities, which are aesthetically pleasing to the eye, have certainly enhanced the surroundings. Though this might be one of the older parts of Pasir Ris GRC, it now has a fresh, new and modern look, comparable to the newer part of the GRC.

6. There is an entrance gateway into the precinct providing a unique identity. Children can look forward to trying out the new playground equipment. And parents can now rest easy when their children are playing in the upgraded playground as it is safer. The improved rubber flooring is less likely to pop out and cause children to trip. There are several study corners and pavilions for students and residents to gather and either rest or study.

7. The new footpaths also make walking more convenient. Rain or shine, you can walk from one block to another under the shelter of the covered walkways that link the flats. Residents are also able to have a healthy lifestyle with the easy access of a fitness corner and pebbled footpath.

CONTINUED SUPPORT
8. We are fortunate that the IUP can be completed as scheduled despite the economic downturn when the project commenced in 1998. It is with the continued prudent financial management from the Town Council, foresight from the government, and unwavering support from the people that we can be here today to appreciate our improved surroundings.

9. I hope that all residents will take pride in their new and improved facilities. All residents have a role to play in keeping their surroundings clean and vandalism-free as so to achieve a better living environment. I also hope that as residents make use of the new facilities and enjoy the new surroundings, that they will socialise with each other and become a more close-knit neighbourhood.