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Following is a question by the Dr Hon Kwok Ka-ki and a written reply by the Secretary for Development, Mr Paul Chan, in the Legislative Council today (October 29):
Question:
The Government has completed a number of major infrastructure projects in recent years, and several public works projects are forthcoming or underway. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) of the following information on the completed projects listed in Table 1: (i) the initial cost estimate, (ii) the actual cost, (iii) the initial anticipated completion date, (iv) the actual completion date, (v) the initial anticipated usage in respect of the past five years, and (vi) the actual usage in the past five years;
(2) of the up-to-date information on the infrastructure projects under planning/underway listed in Table 2: (i) the cost estimate, (ii) the anticipated completion date, and (iii) the anticipated usage or economic benefits to be achieved in respect of the first five years;
(3) of the up-to-date information on the land development projects under planning/underway listed in Table 3: (i) the cost estimate, (ii) the anticipated completion date, and (iii) the anticipated usage or economic benefits to be achieved in the first five years;
(4) given that a number of major infrastructure projects will be carried out in parallel in the next few years, whether the authorities have assessed if there will be a shortage of skilled personnel and engineers in the construction industry of Hong Kong; if they have, of the details; whether the authorities have taken into account the demand and supply of manpower when making estimations on the costs and completion dates for various projects; and
(5) how the authorities will ensure the quality of various major infrastructure projects so as to guard against shoddy construction standard?
Reply:
President,
My reply to the five parts of Dr Hon Kwok Ka-ki's question is as follows:
(1) The following information on the completed works projects: (i) the initial estimates; (ii) the actual costs; (iii) the initial anticipated completed dates; (iv) the actual completion dates; (v) the initial anticipated usage in respect of the past five years; and (vi) the actual usage in the past five years are set out at Annex 1.
(2) The following up-to-date information on the infrastructure projects under planning/underway: (i) the cost estimates; (ii) the anticipated completion dates; and (iii) the anticipated usage or economic benefits to be achieved in respect of the first five years are set out at Annex 2.
(3) The following up-to-date information on the land development projects under planning/underway: (i) the cost estimates; (ii) the anticipated completion dates; and (iii) the anticipated usage or economic benefits to be achieved in the first five years are set out in Annex 3.
(4) According to the forecast of the Construction Industry Council (CIC), the commencement of a number of large infrastructure projects (including private sector projects and others) will keep the total projected construction output of Hong Kong at a high level in the coming few years. The growing volume of construction works will also generate a rising demand for construction workers. The CIC is conducting a manpower forecast study on projecting the local supply and demand of construction professionals, site supervisory staff and technicians over the coming few years with reference to the estimated construction output and other factors in Hong Kong. The first report is expected to be completed and published by the end of this year. The Government has taken into the account the manpower situation when working out cost estimates and completion dates of these projects.
(5) The relevant bureaux and works departments have put in place comprehensive guidelines and stringent requirements on the procurement, delivery and quality control of infrastructure projects. To guarantee the quality of works in large infrastructure projects, the relevant works departments will strictly enforce these guidelines and requirements in respect of the selection of consultants and contractors, appointment of site supervisory staff, material testings, supervision of works, regulatory control and performance appraisal of consultants and contractors, and acceptance procedures.
Ends/Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Issued at HKT 15:26
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