HONG KONG PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
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As regards the Public Toilet Refurbishment Programme, refurbishment works for 25 public toilets commenced in 1997. Refurbishment works for 16 public toilets were completed in 1996.
The Way Forward
Although the Government's rates grant is 16.9% less than our requirement, the Council will enlist efforts to make both ends meet. We will also work strenuously to ensure that all infrastructure projects will progress on schedule and the standard of quality services to the public will be maintained.
The Council will continue to closely monitor the planning and construction works of major capital works projects, such as the Hong Kong Central Library, the Hong Kong Museum of History and the Hong Kong Film Archive.
The Council will step up its measures to prevent infectious diseases, such as arousing public awareness of the need for good personal hygiene, ensuring food premises and market stalls, etc. will maintain a hygienic environment, and promoting good hygienic practices among operators of restaurants, fixed pitch stalls, market stalls, etc.
In 1997, the Council participated in 3 waste reduction activities, namely, the waste paper recycling project and recycle bin design competition conducted by the private sector, and the provision of recycle bins at public housing estates to collect recyclable wastes. In addition, a pilot scheme for the collection of recyclable wastes will be implemented in 11 districts in mid February this year. However, these are only supplementary measures for the disposal of wastes. The bird flu incident has indicated that incineration is the ultimate solution for waste disposal. I have time and again proposed this method for waste disposal, but the Environmental Protection Department recently advised that a feasibility study on this could not be conducted until next year and the construction of incinerators would take 8 to 10 years to complete. Obviously, the lead time is too long. As incinerators are essential facilities for the ultimate disposal of wastes, the Government should install these facilities as soon as possible in order to solve this pressing problem. I would like to avail myself of this opportunity to reiterate the need for the Government to deal with the problem by taking immediate, positive and efficient action.
The Council's performance in the past year has not been given full coverage by some mass media. I hope that fellow Councillors and officers of the Department will continue to cooperate and work closely together so that the public will have a better understanding of the Council's contributions.
Conclusion
While the Statement of Aims for 1997/98 has been implemented, the new aims for 1998/99 have been formulated by the Council's Select Committees and the Department after careful consideration. I am confident that, with the
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