The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government will implement full reforms and hold all responsible parties accountable once an independent committee probing last year’s deadly fire in Tai Po district submits its report, the SAR’s chief executive said on Tuesday.
Speaking to the media ahead of the weekly Executive Council meeting, John Lee Ka-chiu highlighted a series of measures taken in the aftermath of the Nov 26 blaze at Wang Fuk Court, which claimed 168 lives. The measures include establishing three working groups, imposing a total smoking ban across all construction sites and creating a vetted list of qualified contractors.
“The government has already made a series of preparations. Upon receipt of the Independent Committee's report, the government will, based on its contents, implement comprehensive reforms as soon as possible and pursue accountability. Details will then be announced in full,” Lee said.
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The committee – set up by the CE on Dec 12 last year to investigate the cause of the fatal fire and recommend preventive measures – will submit its report by the end of October. The deadline was extended in August to allow the committee to analyze additional information submitted by various parties involved.
Quality of construction works
Asked about a recent incident on the construction quality of a villa in Stanley, the CE declined to comment on the case, saying that the Buildings Department is conducting an investigation and will handle the matter strictly in accordance with the law.
“I attach great importance to the construction quality of building works in Hong Kong. I am also concerned as to whether the professionals involved in the works have discharged their duties of supervision properly, and whether the contractor has carried out the works in breach of requirements.”
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Lee said he has ordered the Development Bureau to strengthen the regulatory regime and toughen penalties for malpractice to create strong deterrence, severely punish violators and safeguard the high professional standards of construction works.
Recruitment of nurses
On nurse hiring, Lee said locally-trained nurses account for 99.8 percent of the Hospital Authority’s current nursing workforce, reflecting a recruitment policy that prioritizes local talent.
There is also a demand for nurses for community-based elderly care and rehabilitation services, and private healthcare institutions, he said, adding that the Hospital Authority currently has over 3,000 nursing vacancies which nursing graduates can still apply for.
The government will maintain contact with the healthcare sector and academia over service needs and training to ensure the city’s healthcare workforce can meet rising demand, he added.
