SINGAPORE — The Marine Parade Central Market and Food Centre will be closed for a few weeks early next year to facilitate a redesign and overhaul of its drainage system, Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong said in a Facebook post yesterday (Nov 3).

The decision was made yesterday morning following a visit to the food centre by Mr Goh, who is also a Member of Parliament for Marine Parade GRC, along with grassroots leaders and town council, PUB and National Environmental Agency officials.

The officials will decide on the best time to close the market after consulting the stall holders.

The visit was made following recent flooding problems in Singapore. The team concluded that the 37-year-old market’s existing drainage system is inadequate and that the sewer pipes have suffered from wear and tear.

Their inspection also showed that stall holders improperly discharge waste, causing oil sludge and stilt to accumulate in the gratings and drains. Kerbs will be built to temporarily prevent excess rainwater from flowing into the market’s drainage system.

The market is a sold centre with the lease expiring in October 2017. Stall holders at the Marine Parade Central Market and Food Centre had turned down the Hawker Upgrading Programme twice, but ESM Goh decided that the drainage system overhaul cannot wait until the lease expiration date.