Transport and Housing Bureau's response to media enquiries
**********************************************************
In response to the recommendations of reports of the Audit Commission and the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Legislative Council, the THB has undertaken an investigation into the non-compliance incidents of the new CAD Headquarters project. Apart from ascertaining the specific circumstances and causes of the non-compliance incidents, the investigation aimed to identify whether there were any acts of misconduct by any CAD officers. The dedicated THB investigation team, led by a Deputy Secretary, has completed the investigation. The THB reported the investigation findings to the PAC on February 3, 2017.
The THB's investigation was conducted in strict compliance with established civil service procedures. The investigation team examined internal project documents and external communication records at different project stages to ensure a fair and comprehensive review from different perspectives. In addition to a report submitted by the CAD to the THB in February 2015 and its supplementary information, the THB investigation team also visited the CAD to check the relevant files and records, and requested the officers concerned to provide further information in order to verify and establish the facts, and to identify the causes of the non-compliance incidents as well as those officers who should be held accountable. In the course of the THB's investigation, a law enforcement agency undertook a criminal investigation into the matter. At the request of the agency, the THB put its investigation work on hold until the completion of that agency's investigation.
According to THB's investigation outcome, there is evidence of misconduct by a senior directorate officer of the CAD. Pursuant to the evidence gathered from the investigation and in accordance with established civil service procedures, the THB has taken summary disciplinary action against the officer concerned. In addition, the investigation revealed prima facie evidence indicating alleged acts of misconduct by a retired directorate officer of the CAD. As this officer has already retired, the civil service disciplinary mechanism is not applicable. The THB has issued a letter to the retired officer concerned and also put the letter on the personnel file, clearly expressing the THB's stance on the acts of misconduct alleged against the officer.
For the protection of personal data, the THB will not comment on or disclose the details of individual disciplinary cases.
Ends/Friday, February 3, 2017
Issued at HKT 18:25
Issued at HKT 18:25
NNNN