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A territory-wide operation to remove 5,000 abandoned signboards has been launched by the Building Department (BD) this month (March) to enhance public safety and improve the streetscape.
Announcing details of the special operation today (March 11), Assistant Director of Buildings, Mr Pang Tat-choi, said, "The Government attaches great importance to the safety of signboards. In addition to the regular annual target to remove/repair 1,600 advertisement signboards, we have stepped up our enforcement by launching a special operation to remove an additional 5,000 abandoned signboards in the 12 months commencing March 2009.
"Some 170 job opportunities would arise from the special operation, which was announced by the Chief Executive after the meeting of the Task Force on Economic Challenges in January 2009," Mr Pang said.
The BD will recruit six professional staff, 18 technical contract staff and one clerical contract staffer to form a special team to carry out the statutory functions and associated administrative duties of the operation. In addition, contractors will be appointed to remove the 5,000 abandoned signboards and thus another 145 new job opportunities will be created in the private sector.
"We have enlisted the support of the District Councils and the Home Affairs Department in encouraging owners' corporations and mutual aid committees of private buildings, and the Fire Services Department in engaging Fire Safety Ambassadors, to report abandoned or dilapidated signboards to the department for follow up action," Mr Pang said.
He stressed that signboard owners had the responsibility to properly maintain and repair their signboards. They should remove their signboards when moving shop premises or upon closing down their business.
The BD issues Dangerous Structure Removal Notices to owners of signboards under the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap 132) requiring them to remove any abandoned or dilapidated signboards to eliminate any potential danger that these signboards may pose to the public. The department will arrange removal works if signboard owners fail to comply with the removal notices within the specified period normally of 14 days. Full costs of the removal works will be recovered from the owners.
Under the Buildings Ordinance, any building works, including the erection of signboards, should not be carried out without the prior approval and consent of the Building Authority. An authorised person should be appointed to co-ordinate and supervise the works, and a registered general building contractor to carry out the works.
Owners who, without reasonable excuse, fail to comply with removal orders issued under the Buildings Ordinance requiring the removal of unauthorised signboards may be prosecuted and would be liable on conviction to a maximum penalty of a fine of $200,000 and imprisonment for one year.
Ends/Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Issued at HKT 15:05
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