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The Director of Home Affairs, Mrs Pamela Tan, today (May 20) visited Sham Shui Po, Yau Tsim Mong and Kowloon City with the chairmen of the relevant committees of the respective District Councils and District Officers.
In view of the launching of the territory-wide Clean Hong Kong Campaign, Mrs Tan reiterated to the councillors the department's commitment to community cleanliness. District Officers would actively work with District Councils to mobilise the community to enhance cleanliness so as to minimise the spread of infectious disease.
Mrs Tan said, "The Home Affairs Department will continue to work closely with District Councils and relevant government departments to carry out community cleaning and promotional activities. And public participation is the key in the fight against human swine influenza."
She also said that community facilities had been improved since the implementation of the District Minor Works (DMW) programme. She thanked the District Council members for their active participation in the programme, including initiation and planning of new projects, to improve people's living environment.
Together with the Chairman of the Sham Shui Po District Facilities Committee, Mr Kwok Chun-wah, Mrs Tan visited Shek Kip Mei Community Hall and Tai Hang Tung Community Centre, inspecting the improvement works carried out there.
Shek Kip Mei Community Hall and Tai Hang Tung Community Centre are popular venues for community activities in Sham Shui Po with their usage rates as high as 80%, while the former also serves as a heat shelter in the district. Funds from the DMW programme were deployed by the District Office and the District Council to carry out a facelift of the hall, including replacement of a decade-old air-conditioning system, renovation of the exterior wall and upgrading of various ancillary facilities. The hall has been reopened to the public after the completion of upgrading works, providing a more comfortable environment for users in the hot summer season. Provision of more facilities for the disabled is also under consideration to make the hall more accessible to disabled people.
Improvement works for the 43-year-old Tai Hang Tung Community Centre include installation of new air-conditioning and audio-visual systems, and refurbishment of the hall overall. In addition, construction of a lift will be carried out in July to provide easier access for the elderly and children.
To enhance the hygiene of the venues to prevent human swine influenza, disinfectants are available for the public use in the Shek Kip Mei Community Hall and Tai Hang Tung Community Centre.
Mrs Tan then went to Yau Tsim Mong District and inspected district minor works projects with the Chairman of the Yau Tsim Mong District Facilities Management Committee, Mr Chan Siu-tong. Thanks to beautification works, the Mong Kok Road Footbridge has been given a new look with new planters and panels displaying snapshots of district activities.
They then went to the junction of Jordan Road and Temple Street, where archways will be constructed. The project comprises two Chinese traditional monumental archways at two entrances of Temple Street, near Jordan Road and Kansu Street. The archways, bearing the name "Temple Street", will serve as landmarks as well as tourist spots for photo taking, aiming to attract more local and overseas visitors to visit the area.
Mrs Tan then arrived in Kowloon City. Accompanied by the Chairman of Kowloon City District Council Leisure and District Facilities Management Committee, Mr Wen Choy-bon, Mrs Tan visited the To Kwa Wan Recreational Ground where a maze garden has been converted into a multi-purpose activity area with exercise equipment for the elderly. The change addresses the rising need of the ageing population for venues suitable for such activities as morning exercise and tai chi.
Lastly, Mrs Tan and Mr Wen arrived at the Tai Wan Shan Park Promenade to see some recent beautification works. Funded by the Kowloon City District Council, this DMW project created a mural with mosaic tiles on the waterfront promenade. The mosaic mural, with complementary landscaping, has given the promenade a facelift, making it an ideal recreation area for the community.
Ends/Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Issued at HKT 18:39
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