Good Evening Ladies and Gentlemen

Toa Payoh has come a long way since its days as a swampy village. Tonight, we mark another milestone in the history of Singapore’s first satellite Town. The Toa Payoh Town Centre has also seen many changes since it was first built in 1971.

The first tiles of the new covered walkways were laid at Block 184 in October last year. Since then, a new pedestrian mall, a total of 1.2 kilometres of covered walkways that extends in front of the shops and 5 covered linkways that link the buildings were built. New amenities such as street lamps, benches and soft landscape were also added in.

This massive project was jointly carried out by Bishan-Toa Payoh Town Council, the Toa Payoh Central Citizens’ Consultative Committee and Toa Payoh Central Merchants’ Association. It shows the close working relationship among the three organisations.

The $3.21 million project also marks the first time that funds were collected before the commencement of upgrading works. As early as 1994, Toa Payoh Town Council, Toa Payoh Central Citizens’ Consultative Committee and Toa Payoh Central Merchants’ Association worked together to convince the 200-plus shopkeepers in Toa Payoh Town Centre. Brochures that showed the designs of the extended covered walkways, the upgraded Mall and the 4 gateways were used to explain the advantages of the upgraded environment in boosting business.

Their early contributions were essential to the project. Otherwise those who paid their share on time would have to shoulder the burden of those who subsequently reneged on their obligation. This lesson was learnt from other neighbourhood centres. By the time works started in September 1997, 90% of the shops had paid up their share of about $10,000 to $15,000 each. For the pedestrian mall, conscious effort was put in by the Town Council’s appointed architect to create an open concept with good lighting and soft landscape. Coupled with funding from the Community Improvement Projects Committee (or CIPC), the Town Centre upgrading project was finally completed in October this year.

Amidst this economic downturn, it is important to keep our optimism alive. While it is essential that we survive through these difficult times with tough measures, we must also extend a helping hand to those who need it.

The Central Community Development Council, or CDC, together with the Bishan-Toa Payoh Town Council and our grassroots organisations, have therefore jointly-organised the "Job Connection" scheme for our residents. This scheme is a tie-up with the Town Council’s conservancy and horticulture term contractors to provide jobs to those who need it. At present, there are 60 vacancies and job placement is just a phone call away. Such schemes are examples of how everyone can play his part during tough times such as these.

Besides "Job Connection", the Central Singapore CDC has other job placement schemes such as its Local Job Databank. At present, there are 180 vacancies for jobs ranging from airport logistics to those in the shipping industry. The aim of this Central Singapore CDC scheme, which started in July this year, is to match people with various skills to suitable jobs.

The Toa Payoh Central Merchants’ Association has also played its part to lift our spirits. The attractive lights that will be switched on later will serve to brighten up and further beautify the already attractive Town Centre for the coming festive seasons.

Tonight we acknowledge the hard work of every party involved in the upgrading project. We applaud the Bishan-Toa Payoh Town Council, Central Singapore CDC, Toa Payoh Central Citizens’ Consultative Committee, Toa Payoh Central Merchant’s Association, the various grassroots organisations and the Town Council’s conservancy contractors in reaching out to help our community. Let us now look forward into the future with hope and renewed vigour to tackle this economic downturn.

Thank you.

* * *