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In response to media enquiries, a spokesman for the Housing Department (HD) said the clearance operation of Lower Ngau Tau Kok (II) Estate went smoothly today (November 25) with successful repossession of nearly all the remaining units.
The spokesman added that over 90% of the households had earlier moved out. After the operation today, only a very few domestic tenants and commercial tenants are still unable to render vacant possession to the HD. Taking into consideration the personal difficulties they face, the HD will give them a short grace period to vacate their flats.
Lower Ngau Tau Kok (II) Estate is the last redevelopment project under the Housing Authority's Comprehensive Redevelopment Programme (CRP). A total of seven 16-storey resettlement blocks comprising 5,405 flats will be cleared.
"We are pleased with the progress of today's operation, thanks to the co-operation of tenants and assistance rendered by local organisations and various government departments," the spokesman said.
"All repossessed flats have been sealed. The site will be fenced off to prevent unauthorised entry," he added.
A total of six public housing blocks will be developed under the Ngau Tau Kok Redevelopment Programme, one of which will be built on the site of Lower Ngau Tau Kok (II) Estate. The 33-storey building comprising 567 public housing units is expected to be completed in 2015. The remaining part of the Lower Ngau Tau Kok (II) Estate site is planned for the provision of a public open space and a cross-district community and cultural centre.
To improve the living environment of residents of old-style public housing estates, the Housing Authority rolled out CRP in 1988. The programme aims at improving the living environment of about 630,000 public housing tenants in 57 old public housing estates.
Ends/Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Issued at HKT 17:01
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