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Concerted efforts between government departments and members of the public is essential in keeping the environment of Sai Kung clean, the Sai Kung District Officer, Mr Simon Yau said today (Monday) .

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Sai Kung Blackspots Elimination Exercise, Mr Yau said the environmental hygiene of Sai Kung was satisfactory. In terms of reports on hygiene blackspots during the initial phase of the exercise, Sai Kung ranked 17 among the 18 districts in the territory.

He added that the Blackspots Elimination Exercise was an important part of the Healthy Living into the 21st Century Campaign.

"Through the exercise, the Government hopes to remind members of the public of the importance in keeping Hong Kong clean, to encourage residents to report hygiene blackspots in the district and to assess the effectiveness of the clean-ups," Mr Yau said.

"Since the launching of the exercise, public response has been overwhelming - the Health and Welfare Bureau has received over 1,200 reports of hygiene blackspots from members of the public," Mr Yau added.

Mr Yau joined hands with other guests, including the Administrative Assistant/Lands of the Sai Kung District Lands Office, Mr Johnson Yip; the Acting Sai Kung District Environmental and Hygiene Superintendent, Mr Kam Chun-sing; as well as members of the Sai Kung Provisional District Board and the Sai Kung Keep Hong Kong Clean Campaign Committee in a rubbish clean-up operation at the Ap Tsai Wan Park in Tseung Kwan O immediately after the ceremony.

Today's event was organised by the Sai Kung District Office, with the assistance of the Regional Services Department and the Sai Kung District Lands Office.

Emd/Monday, April 26, 1999

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