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Public and new airport work projects well on track
The Public Works Programme and the Airport Core Programme are well on track to provide better and more infrastructural facilities for the betterment of Hong Kong, the Secretary for Works, Mr James Blake, said today (Wednesday).
Speaking at a press conference prior to his retirement, Mr Blake said: "It is gratifying to see that during my four years in office, capital works expenditure grew by 40 per cent in real terms to $30 billion in 1994-95.
"This represents a 10 per cent annual growth which is set to continue as a firm indication of Government's commitment to invest vigorously in the future of Hong Kong."
On the Airport Core Programme, Mr Blake was confident that the seven projects directly funded by the Government together with the Western Harbour Crossing would be completed before June 30, 1997.
"Works on the Chek Lap Kok new airport are expected to be substantially complete by mid-1997 and those for the Airport Railway by April 1998.
"It remains our target to open the new airport in April 1998 and the Airport Railway in June 1998," he said.
Mr Blake was glad to see significant improvement in the Works Group's performance to meet the expenditure targets.
"For two consecutive years in 93-94 and 94-95, we were able to spend 95 per cent of the budgeted expenditure compared with a 30 per cent underspending in 91-92.
"This has been made possible by a revamp of the monitoring and management system that enables us to detect and rectify more quickly deviations from the original targets.
"We have also put in place a system to enable independent public organisations to act as government agents for the construction and management of major projects under the close monitoring and control of the Government.
"The procedure has been adopted in the construction of the North District Hospital, and Tseung Kwan O Hospital and the extension of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre," said Mr Blake.