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Redevelopment of Shek Pai Wan Estate Phase 2 Completed Ahead of Schedule (with photo)
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    The Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA)'s Redevelopment of Shek Pai Wan Estate Phase 2 has been completed ahead of schedule despite disruption to project progress due to the re-entry and re-tender of construction contract. The early completion is good news to tenants affected by the redevelopment of Wong Chuk Hang Estate.

     Officiating at the ceremony today (March 30) to mark the project completion and the handover of the site were Chairman of the HA's Building Committee, Mr Ip Kwok-him, Committee Members Mr Stephen Yip Moon-wah and Mr Joseph Kwan Kwok-lok, Chairman of the Southern District Council, Ms Mar Yuet-har, and Deputy Director of Housing (Development and Construction), Ms Ada Fung.

     Mr Ip said at the ceremony, "The breach of contract by the original building contractor had brought about many challenges, especially those concerning workers on site. The HA and the Housing Department (HD) have demonstrated a huge perseverance in handling the situation. Having duly considered the continuity of project works and the livelihood of the concerned workers, the majority of the domestic sub-contractors and site workers under the original contract were retained. Satisfactory solutions to overcome a myriad of problems over the contract and project works have led to the early completion of the project. Tenants will soon be able to move into their new homes. Members of HA's Building Committee and HD colleagues are pleased to see the hard efforts eventually bear such rich fruit."

     On the same occasion, Ms Ada Fung commented, "We understand that tenants in Wong Chuk Hang Estate have been eagerly looking forward to moving into their new homes in Shek Pai Wan Estate Phase 2. We worked very hard, aiming for project completion within ten months. During the process, the contract suffered further delays due to heavy rain, with completion date extended to mid-April 2007.  Cognizant of the wishes of the tenants, all parties - including HD colleagues, architects, engineers, surveyors, site supervisors, the contractor, the sub-contractors as well as site workers - doubled their efforts and advance the completion date to late March. At the same time, this is the first completed project after the HA introduced the wages payment monitoring system for construction workers. The effective implementation of the system in this project is truly encouraging."

     Wong Chuk Hang Estate is among the last to be demolished under the HA's Comprehensive Redevelopment Programme. The Redevelopment of Shek Pai Wan Estate was designed to rehouse the tenants of Wong Chuk Hang Estate. The completion of Phase 2 signifies another major step forward for the Comprehensive Redevelopment Programme.

     According to the original plan, Shek Pai Wan Estate Phase 2 should be completed in early 2006. However, the original contractor failed to comply with contract obligations, causing serious delay to the progress of works. The HA decided to terminate the original contract and re-enter the site on 17 February 2006. Re-tendering was promptly arranged in March 2006, with the aim of completing the construction works within the shortest period of time. Works re-started under the new contract in May 2006, and completed in March 2007. It is expected that tenants in Wong Chuk Hang Estate will start moving in to their new homes in Shek Pai Wan Estate Phase 2 from this May onwards.

     The Redevelopment of Shek Pai Wan Phase 2 includes four domestic blocks, one primary school and a lift tower. Following an opening ceremony officiated also by Mr Ip, the lift tower has been in service since 15 February. Operating 24 hours a day, the lift serves an impressive daily average of over 6 000 users. This convenience is enjoyed by tenants in Shek Pai Wan Estate and nearby residents alike, especially the seniors and the physically disabled.
 

Ends/Friday, March 30, 2007
Issued at HKT 20:28

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