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HONG KONG PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
Lastly, I would like to comment on a number of events involving the Council which happened in the past year. I was not in Hong Kong when the bird flu broke out. When I was on the flight back to Hong Kong, I read the editorial of Wen Wei Pao, which said that the bird flu incident exposed the incapability of the Chairmen of the Municipal Councils in leading the USD/RSD. When I got up next morning, I learned that Mrs. Anson CHAN, the Chief Secretary for Administration, who was visiting Beijing, commented on the insufficient work done by the Municipal Councils on public hygiene. Just now the Vice-Chairman queried whether the senior officials were trying to shirk their responsibilities by making such comments. Why is the Urban Council always made the scapegoat? We should conduct a self-examination. Last year, very few Councillors mentioned at meetings the incident of the 'Pillar of Shame' or about some organisations (e.g. the Democratic Party and the Frontier) being held back from hiring venues during the reunification period. All these events, including the Central Library incident, undermine public confidence in the Council. Why did the editorials and even those senior officials shift their responsibilities for the bird flu incident onto the Council? I believe that this is what the Councillors should examine. It is my wish to see that all of us will continue to make concerted efforts to improve the municipal services.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Ms. JENNIFER CHOW KIT-BING (in Cantonese):-
A 'Triple-Win' Option for the Redevelopment of Central Market Mr. Chairman and Colleagues, this is the first Annual Conventional Debate of the Council after the reunification in 1997. As Vice-Chairman of the Council's Capital Works Select Committee, I am always deeply concerned about the interrelationship between the Council's capital works projects and town planning developments and how they tie in with each other. Last year, I proposed a motion urging the Council to draw up a vision plan of capital works projects for the next 10 years, so that we may follow the direction set out therein and provide the most suitable and essential municipal facilities for the public. The Statement of Aims for 1998/99 set forth by Mr. Chairman today reveals a number of ambitious plans. However, I would like to focus my response on the redevelopment of Central Market in particular. The pressing need for the redevelopment and how to better utilize this prime site are my serious concern. I fully agree with the views expressed by Mr. Kam Nai-wai. Some Councillors have indicated that owing to the divided views of various political parties in the Council, some matters within the Council could not be resolved. However, if we cherish a common aspiration on matters concerning the people's livelihood, I believe this will constitute an effective force, able to draw the Government's attention to these matters. With this in mind, I would like to put forth today a more specific proposal, that is a 'triple-win' option which will (i) provide municipal facilities; (ii) generate revenue for the