**********************************************************
The Housing Department today (January 25) called on tenants of all public housing estates to join a territory-wide "Year End Cleaning in Public Housing Estates" campaign to maintain the cleanliness of the estates and enhance awareness of household and personal hygiene.
Officiating at the campaign's launch ceremony at Sau Mau Ping Estate, the Director of Housing, Mr D W Pescod, thanked Estate Management Advisory Committee members, tenants and cleansing workers for their enthusiastic participation in the event.
"To usher in the Lunar New Year, Chinese people have a tradition of cleaning up their homes near the end of the year. Housing Department colleagues and workers of our cleaning contractors will also step up their efforts to keep public housing estates clean and in good order for tenants to celebrate the new year," Mr Pescod said.
Mr Pescod appealed to tenants to maintain a clean and hygienic living environment throughout the year, not just during the year-end clean-up.
To show his support for the event, Mr Pescod joined in the clean-up at the estate.
The cleaning of all estate facilities and common areas as well as clearing of junk at collection points and refuse chambers is being stepped up during these final two weeks preceding the Lunar New Year.
Cleaning staff at all estates are undertaking special cleansing activities and rodent prevention measures, including the cleaning of common areas, surface sewers and drainage systems, as well as disinfecting lift interiors.
Maintaining good estate and household cleanliness and good personal hygiene also helps prevent influenza.
Riding on the momentum of the campaign, all 160 public rental estates in the territory's six management regions also conducted year-end cleaning today to pass on the message to tenants.
Ends/Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Issued at HKT 15:23
NNNN
