Eve Chuah cuts a likeable figure among the residents in parts of Bishan North. Many treat this young girl like their daughter, for she is there almost daily to look after their welfare. Her fresh face and girl-next-door look has helped her in settling down with the residents.
This is understandable for the older residents as 23-year-old Eve is the one who will assist them when their water tap runs dry, or when their electrical supply is interrupted, or when repairs are required within their block of flats.
She is the friendly Bishan-Toa Payoh Town Council Property Officer who takes charge of some 27 blocks of flats in Bishan North ward. When she graduated from the polytechnic, she had the option to do quantity surveying or facilities management. She chose the latter.
“I prefer to go out and tackle challenges rather than be a QS and stay in the office,” said Eve as she flashed a friendly smile. “I enjoy meeting residents and the grassroots leaders on the one hand and supervising and working with the cleansing workers and contractors on the other.
“Facilities management is something that affects our living environment, our daily lives. We will have to learn how the water pump works, how the lift works, and how electricity is supplied into the homes. These are useful things to learn and I pick up quite a bit of the knowledge from the contractors,” she added.
In fact, she finds satisfaction in resolving issues for residents; mediating when there are differences of opinion between neighbours. And two years into her first job, she still finds her work interesting.
One memorable event she recalled when the blocks of flats under her charge had to switch from using conventional light bulbs to energy efficient LED bulbs. Because of this switch, the electrical supply to the affected blocks had to be cut from 9 am to 5 pm on two occasions. Several residents protested despite the advance one-week notice. One said he had to keep his medication refrigerated at a certain temperature. Another was worried that the breast milk for his baby would sour if not kept in the refrigerator. Eve arranged for a special generator to supply electricity to these two families.
“I learnt the theoretical aspects when in polytechnic but the practice requires more than just understanding how things work. You need the human relation and networking to get things done smoothly.
“At times, you need to be able to persuade people and get them to understand why you can’t do things the way they want them done. Sometimes I need to be firm but it is important to strike a good balance especially when dealing with contractors.
“I have a very good team and the work environment is very conducive. The seniors are also very supportive,” said Eve as she went about her block rounds with her familiar straight long black hair, denim jeans and flat shoes.
Her work day starts at 8.30 am and ends at 6 pm; but there are days when she has to work much later attending meetings and walkabouts with the Member of Parliament and the grassroots leaders. On weekends, she is required to work on alternate Saturdays and she gets a day off on another week day instead.
She will run through her computer when she gets to the office to check for any complaints or feedback before she goes on her inspection rounds at the blocks of flats to look at any maintenance issues.
With her at times will be the cleansing supervisor, Madam Tan Geok Lan, aged 73, whom she respectfully addresses as “Aunty”.
During the interview, Madam Tan was seen informing Eve that one of the mechanisms at the bin collection centre was not functioning well and required her attention as they walked together to inspect the bicycle bay at Block 404.
Eve has another natural advantage besides her amiable personality. Apart from Mandarin, she also speaks Teochew and Hokkien which is helpful in communicating with the residents, the cleansing workers and the contractors.
This Jurong girl came to settle in Singapore at the age of five with her parents from Segamat, Johor. Her younger brother is currently serving his national service.
Compared with her contemporaries who are currently still studying for their full-time degrees, she feels she is better off for she has not only picked up on-the-job experience and earns a steady salary, she has also the opportunity to improve herself by studying for her degree. She is almost mid-way through her part-time degree in Bachelor of Applied Science (Building Management) offered by RMIT University at the Singapore Institute of Management.
“The Town Council offers study leave when there are exams so that I can find the time to focus on my studies, and this is very encouraging,” said Eve who at times has to spend four nights a week in the lecture theatre.
– This article first appeared in a Town Council newsletter as part of a recruitment advertorial.
