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Sewers and drains investigations agreement signed
The Drainage Services Department has appointed Maunsell Consultants (Asia) Limited to carry out an investigation of sewers and drains which may affect the safety of fill slopes and retaining walls.
A $64 million agreement was signed today (Friday) by the Assistant Director of Drainage Services (Operations and Maintenance), Mr Victor Bradley, and a representative of the consultants.
Speaking after signing the agreement, Mr Bradley said the investigation would cover public drains buried adjacent to over 1,000 fill slopes and retaining walls as well as buried road drains adjacent to about 370 roadside slopes.
"The objective of the investigation is to examine thoroughly the conditions of all drains which may affect the stability of the adjacent fill slopes and retaining walls.
"The consultants will recommend remedial measures with a prioritised programme to repair drains which are found to be structurally unsound or leaking.
"Those posing the greatest danger to the public will be rectified immediately," said Mr Bradley, adding that the consultants will also develop an asset inventory and management system for more effective monitoring and management in future.
The whole project is scheduled to be completed in December 1998.
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Hong Kong Government delegation to visit China
The Secretary for Health and Welfare, Mrs Katherine Fok, will be visiting Beijing and Xian from September 1 to 10 under the sponsored visit programme, a government spokesman announced today (Friday).
Mrs Fok will be accompanied by seven other government officials.
"The objective of the sponsored visit programme is to enhance mutual understanding of Chinese and Hong Kong government officials on each other's systems," the spokesman said.
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