The Secretary for Development, Mrs Carrie Lam, today (March 7) visited the Bank Building on Tai Loong Street, Kwai Chung, which has undergone repair and maintenance work under Operation Building Bright (OBB).
Mrs Lam met members of the building's owners' corporation and visited an owner-occupier to listen to their views and experiences regarding the renovation work. She was pleased to learn that the work has enhanced the building's safety and improved the residents' living environment.
This 36-year-old building is one of the 988 Category 1 target buildings (those with owners' corporations) included in the first-round of the OBB scheme.
With an approved refurbishment grant of $2.16 million, the building has undergone major renovation work to repair and maintain the external and internal walls and staircases, including new drainage and fresh water pipes. Renovation work started in September 2009 and was completed in April 2010. OBB covered all the renovation costs borne by the building's 25 elderly owners, who accounted for about 20% of the building owners.
As at mid-February 2011, the OBB has provided assistance to owners of more than 1,900 old buildings, of which more than 40 are in the Kwai Tsing District. A total of 11 buildings in the district applied for grants under the second round of the OBB scheme.
The Financial Secretary proposed in his 2011-12 Budget Speech to allocate a further $1 billion for OBB. It is estimated that the campaign will eventually provide financial assistance for the repair and maintenance of over 3,000 buildings aged 30 years or above in Hong Kong.
During today's visit, Mrs Lam also visited Kwai Tsing Container Port and was briefed on the development and operation of the Hong Kong International Terminals, including a tour of its control room and a briefing on the application of advanced technologies in the terminal's operations.
She was also given a guided tour to the Mariners' Club. The Mariners' Club, situated in the heart of the container port terminal, opened in 1975. It offers a wide range of facilities including a bar, restaurant, chapel and indoor game facilities for use by seamen.
Before ending her visit, Mrs Lam met Kwai Tsing District Council members at Kwai Hing Government Offices to exchange views on various district issues.
Ends/Monday, March 7, 2011
Issued at HKT 19:41
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