FSTB issues progress update on work of Task Force on Review of Government Procurement Regime and related disciplinary investigation
The Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB) today (December 30) issued a progress update on the report of the Task Force on Review of Government Procurement Regime and the disciplinary investigation of the incident on procurement of bottled drinking water. An FSTB spokesman said that subsequent to the announcement and implementation of a series of quick-win measures in October to strengthen protection against fraudulent acts, the Task Force chaired by the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, has been exploring further enhancement measures and has completed its review on the existing government procurement regime. The disciplinary investigation of the incident on procurement of bottled drinking water was also completed recently. The Government is studying the investigation report and consulting the Department of Justice to determine suitable disciplinary actions to be taken. Relevant results will be announced as soon as possible and are expected to be ready next month. The results will then be announced together with the Task Force report to conclude the incident.
The Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB), Photo source: reference image
Furthermore, the Government Logistics Department launched an open tender today for the contract to supply bottled drinking water to government offices on Hong Kong Island and parts of the outlying islands. Following new guidelines promulgated this October, this tender exercise has strengthened relevant requirements at various stages, including preparation of tender documents, tender evaluation and contract management, to help procurement officers guard against fraudulent acts more effectively and to select a supplier competent to ensure a stable supply of bottled drinking water in accordance with contract terms.
Bottled drinking water, Photo source: Threads
HA to consult District Councils about clearance and rehousing arrangements for redevelopment of Sai Wan Estate and Phase 1 of Ma Tau Wai Estate
The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Housing Authority:
The Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) announced today (December 30) thatit will respectively consult the Central and Western District Council and the Kowloon City District Council next month about the clearance and rehousing arrangements for the redevelopment of Sai Wan Estate (SWE) and Phase 1 of Ma Tau Wai Estate (MTWE).
"The HA conducts assessments on aged public rental housing (PRH) estates from time to time in order to ensure the buildings are in a safe condition and suitable for accommodating residents. The actual circumstances will also be considered in a prudent manner when deciding whether to redevelop a PRH estate," a spokesman for the HA said.
The HA has reserved adequate rehousing resources for the affected tenants for the clearance and rehousing proposals of the two aforementioned PRH estates. The proposed clearance and rehousing of SWE can be carried out under a single phase in 2029 so that all affected tenants will be rehoused to Phase 1 of the Ka Wai Man Road public housing development (Annex I) nearby in one go. With the thoughtful arrangements by the project team, this proposal will allow all affected tenants to move into the new estate together with their neighbours, maintaining warm neighbourhood relationships and continuing the sense of community. There are currently 636 flats in SWE. It is expected that the number of flats will increase by 460 to about 1 100 flats after the redevelopment to cater for more residents in need.
As for the MTWE redevelopment, in consideration of the unanimous views of the residents and the community that the clearance and rehousing arrangement should be expedited, the HA proposes using part of the new Mei Tung Estate public housing development as additional rehousing resources on top of the reception estate at To Kwa Wan Road public housing development so that the phases of redevelopment can be reduced from three to two, thereby significantly shortening the rehousing period for all MTWE residents from 14 years to seven years. The clearance in Phase 1 will cover Geranium House and Narcissus House and the rehousing of the affected tenants is anticipated to commence in 2028. The clearance and rehousing for Phase 2 will be announced in due course (Annex II). After the redevelopment of the entire estate, the number of flats in MTWE is expected to increase from more than 2 000 to about 4 000 flats, providing over 2 000 additional units for residents in need.
In addition, the HA also proposes offering domestic tenants affected by the clearance a domestic removal allowance to help meet part of their moving expenses. Eligible one-person and two-person households, regardless of age, may also opt to receive a cash allowance in lieu of rehousing to a PRH unit as an alternative option to suit their needs. For example, elderly persons may move into residential care homes for the elderly, settle in the Chinese Mainland, or live with their children, etc. Furthermore, the HA also proposes to accord priority to affected tenants of HA's announced clearance projects who would like to purchase subsidised sale flats (SSFs) in lieu of PRH in flat selection over other applicants in the SSFs sale exercise(s) launched before the target clearance date.
The HA will establish an on-site Community Service Team in SWE and MTWE to help maintain effective communication with the affected households, especially the elderly, to provide help and fully assist them in vacating their existing flats and adapting to their new living environment throughout the project.
The Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA), Photo source: reference image
