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The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Housing Authority:
The Tender Committee (TC) of the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) held a meeting today (August 20). The Chairman of the TC, Mr Cheung Tat-tong, said members discussed in details the impact of excessive lead content found in drinking water in public housing estates on handling forthcoming new works building tenders.
As the preliminary findings from the Development Bureau's joint task force, the full account of the incident from relevant building contractors involved in public housing estates found with excessive lead content in water, and the results of water sampling tests being conducted for the remaining public rental housing estates completed after 2005, may be available progressively in September, members were of the view that the above findings and information are of high relevance and should be taken into consideration before awarding the two new works building contracts.
The two new building works contracts put on hold are the Construction of Public Housing Development at Shek Mun Estate Phase 2 in Sha Tin; the Construction of Home Ownership Scheme at Kiu Cheong Road in Tin Shui Wai and Ngan Kwong Wan Road East and West in Mui Wo,involving a total of 6 132 flats.
Mr Cheung said with the rule of law in Hong Kong where evidence plays an important role in sanctions, the TC will examine any regulatory action to be imposed against contractors upon availability of more information and findings.
Ends/Thursday, August 20, 2015
Issued at HKT 20:58
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