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The Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Ko Wing-man, visited Tsuen Wan District this afternoon (December 13) to exchange views with District Councillors on local affairs under his purview.
Accompanied by the Chairman of the Tsuen Wan District Council, Mr Chan Iu-seng, and the Vice-chairman, Mr Chung Wai-ping, Dr Ko first went to a potential site for the development of public columbarium facilities located on Sham Shui Kok Drive, Siu Ho Wan, North Lantau.
The Government, pursuant to a district-based columbarium development scheme, has identified 24 potential sites for columbarium development across Hong Kong's 18 districts. Two sites are in Tsuen Wan District, located at the eastern and western ends of Sham Shui Kok Drive, Siu Ho Wan, North Lantau.
Dr Ko said that whether the 24 potential sites would eventually be used for developing columbarium facilities would depend on the results of technical feasibility studies, traffic impact assessments or engineering feasibility studies (as applicable).
"Upon completion of the relevant studies, we will consult the relevant District Councils before going ahead with developing the sites for columbarium use.
"The Government will also improve the outlook and layout of proposed columbaria through flexible design in order to ease the concern and anxiety of nearby residents. We would like to appeal to District Councils and local residents for their understanding and support to help the Government implement these columbarium projects expeditiously," he said.
Dr Ko then proceeded to the Yuen Yuen Institute Tsuen Wan West Neighbourhood Elderly Centre, where he met and chatted with elderly visitors and staff to learn more about the services provided by the centre. Dr Ko was glad to learn that the centre started to provide community support services to the elderly at a neighbourhood level in 2011. The services enable the elderly to enjoy more comprehensive community care services and relieve the burden on their carers.
Dr Ko concluded his visit at a tea meeting with Tsuen Wan District Councillors, with whom he exchanged views and suggestions on the supply of public niches, on regulation of private columbaria, and on how to improve services in health, food safety and environmental hygiene.
Ends/Thursday, December 13, 2012
Issued at HKT 17:48
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