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Ombudsman probes Rating and Valuation Department's administration of building numbering
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The following is issued on behalf of the Office of The Ombudsman:

     The Ombudsman, Ms Connie Lau, declared today (August 7) a direct investigation into the administration of building numbering by the Rating and Valuation Department (RVD).

     The RVD is responsible for the numbering of buildings and for ensuring the display of correct numbers by building owners. The Office of The Ombudsman has received from time to time public complaints about problems relating to building numbers. They alleged that the RVD had erred in its allocation of building numbers. Furthermore, the building numbers it allocated were sometimes different from those used by other government departments in their correspondence with the public, thereby causing confusion. In addition, it has come to the Office's attention that quite a number of buildings in Hong Kong do not display their numbers, causing inconvenience to citizens and tourists. Although the RVD has reminded owners or occupants of ground-level shops and owners' corporations of buildings to display their building numbers, such efforts have been largely ineffective. This invites queries on whether the RVD has been performing its duty diligently.

     Given the high density of buildings in Hong Kong and the thriving activities and interactions of the population, it is essential for the Administration to systematically allocate building numbers for consistent use by government departments and the public. Furthermore, clear display of building numbers makes life easier for citizens in their day-to-day activities and for public officers in their discharge of duty. The Ombudsman, therefore, initiated this direct investigation to examine the RVD's system of allocating building numbers and its control over the display of building numbers. The aim is to identify inadequacies, if any, and to make recommendations to the department for improvement.

     The Ombudsman welcomes public views and other information on this subject. Comments in writing should reach the Office of The Ombudsman by September 8:

Address: 30/F, China Merchants Tower, Shun Tak Centre
         168-200 Connaught Road Central, Hong Kong
Fax: 2882 8149
Email: complaints@ombudsman.hk

Ends/Thursday, August 7, 2014
Issued at HKT 14:30

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