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The Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, visited Mong Kok district this afternoon (October 18) to learn more about the drainage improvement works at the Mong Kok Road Nullah and the residents' everyday concerns.

Accompanied by the Yau Tsim Mong District Officer, Mr Augustine Choi Chi-wah, and the Senior Engineer of the Drainage Services Department, Mr Kenneth Lau Chi-keung, Mr Tung inspected the drainage improvement works at the Mong Kok Road Nullah near the junction of Mong Kok Road and Canton Road.

Mr Choi and Mr Lau explained to Mr Tung that the unpleasant smell released by the nullah affected environmental hygiene in the area. Since Team Clean implemented a series of environmental hygiene improvement initiatives last year, the Drainage Services Department and the Home Affairs Department have been working closely together to develop and build a twin cell box culvert to replace the Mong Kok Road Nullah to eliminate the smell and prevent rubbish from falling into the nullah.

The Drainage Services Department has applied for funding for the improvement works. Scheduled to start next year, the project, is expected to be completed in one to two years, depending on the weather. The project will improve environmental hygiene in the area.

Mr Tung then visited a market and a variety of businesses in Mong Kok Road, Reclamation Street and Canton Road, including several restaurants, some fruit stalls, a spice shop and a barber's shop, to learn how their businesses were faring and to chat with the residents.

The Chief Executive listened with interest to concerns raised by the residents, including hawker licence fees; licensing issues; increase in wholesale price; illegal construction problems and combating illegal workers.

Mr Tung said that the Government would step up work to further economic restructuring so that residents from all walks of life would benefit from the economic recovery.

He announced last week that all principal officials under the accountability system would visit different districts regularly to exchange views directly with the residents and community organisations.

Ends/Monday, October 18, 2004

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News clip (Real Media/Windows Media)