As the Year of the Rooster begins, I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone in Hong Kong good health and harmony. I would also like to wish Hong Kong and the Mainland prosperity and stability. The Lunar New Year is an important traditional Chinese festival. I know that many of you visit your relatives and friends during the public holidays, while some make wishes at the Wong Tai Sin Temple, Che Kung Temple or Lam Tsuen Wishing Tree according to tradition, hoping that everything will go smooth in the coming year. As the Acting Secretary for Development, I have special new year wishes for this year too. I hope that all the public works projects will be launched smoothly, the progress of housing construction be expedited, and public facilities be commissioned for public enjoyment as soon as possible. I also hope that we can further strengthen the cost control of public works projects, so that social resources can be used more effectively.
Tasked with important responsibilities to promote Hong Kong’s development
The most important task of the Development Bureau is to promote the development of Hong Kong, improve the living environment of the community and maintain our long-term competitiveness. To this end, we are tasked with the important responsibilities of taking forward and co-ordinating public works projects to meet the needs of the community in the aspects of land, housing, health care, cultural and recreational facilities, as well as transport systems and moreetc. Currently, a number of public works projects are on the pipeline and ready to seek funding approval from the Finance Committee of Legislative Council (LegCo) in this legislative session. Hopefully these projects can be launched as soon as possible.
Funding approval for works projects is a matter of great urgency
Tomorrow will be the third day of Lunar New Year, also known as “Red Mouth”. Traditionally, it is a day when arguments happen easily. Lunar New Year is a festive occasion and I have no intention to dampen your joyous mood. However, I believe you all still remember that we appealed to LegCo Members more than a month ago to scrutinise the funding applications for works projects tabled by the Government in a pragmatic manner. Nonetheless, the Public Works Subcommittee has been proceeding with the scrutiny of funding applications at a painstakingly slow pace. Only one item, which is the site formation and infrastructure works for public housing developments at Chung Nga Road in Tai Po, has been endorsed so far. More than 40 public works projects involving the funding applications of some $100 billion are still waiting in line. Therefore, I have to issue a gentle reminder again and appeal to LegCo Members to be generous as a token of goodwill during the Chinese New Year to expedite the scrutiny of funding applications of public works projects. This will be the best new year gift for the community.
What makes me even more anxious is the application for block allocations under the Capital Works Reserve Fund for 2017-18, which encompasses a wide range of works including drainage, waterworks, highway maintenance, as well as minor works for university buildings, other schools and welfare facilities. Any delay in funding approval will result in great inconvenience to the community. Without the funding, the Government will not be able to launch more than 1 000 new minor works projects. It will also fail to fulfil the contractual obligations of making payments as scheduled for more than 7 000 minor works projects currently underway, which suggests that there will possibly be breaches of contract or defaults in payment on the part of the Government. This will not only affect contractors’ cash flow and workers’ livelihood, but also cause inconvenience to the public or even endanger public safety. Therefore, I sincerely hope that LegCo Members will consider the overall interests of Hong Kong and complete the scrutiny as soon as possible.
Continue our efforts in cost control
To cope with society’s enormous demand for public works, and to meet the housing supply target for the next ten years, we must implement proper control of construction costs. Last year, the Government decided to strengthen cost control for public works, and has saved about $13 billion of taxpayers’ money so far. We hope to continue our efforts in saving public resources. We will also encourage the industry to adopt more effective measures to reduce costs for both public and private works projects so as to enhance the cost-effectiveness of the local construction industry. This can hopefully become a success we can build on to strive for an even better future.
A harmonious home for all to work and live in
I believe that both the Government and the community do share the same new year wish of creating a harmonious society where political disputes can be put aside and rational discussions on livelihood issues be carried out in LegCo. The Government will also continue its efforts in controlling construction costs and enhancing the effectiveness of public works to the benefit of the community. As long as we can uphold the same ideas and stand as one for the well-being of the community, all challenges can be overcome and Hong Kong will continue to be a blessed land for us to work and live in.
Last but not least, I would once again like to wish you the best of luck and every success in the Year of the Rooster.
29 January, 2017
Back