XN000022-1984-01-16 — Page 4

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MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 1984

IMPORTANCE OF DBS STRESSED

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THE DISTRICT OFFICER PLAYS THE MAJOR ROLE IN THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME, THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WILLIAM YAP, SAID TODAY.

AS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE DISTRICT OFFICER HAS THE DUTY TO ENSURE THAT THE VIEWS AND SUGGESTIONS OF LOCAL RESIDENTS ARE WELL CONSIDERED, THROUGH THEIR ELECTED MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.

+ IN THIS DAY AND AGE OF PUBLIC CONSULTATION, THE DISTRICT BOARD SHOULD BE A USEFUL MACHINERY FOR THE PURPOSE AND THE DISTRICT OFFICER HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY TO PUT IT TO ITS OPTIMUM EFFECT, HE SAID.

MR YAP WAS DISCUSSING THE PRESENT ROLE OF NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICT OFFICERS AT A MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.

+MEETINGS OF THE DISTRICT BOARD AND ITS COMMITTEES NAVE BEEN TAKEN MORE AND MORE SERIOUSLY BY BOTH THEIR OFFICIAL AND UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS.

+AS THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME MELLOWS IN FUTURE YEARS THE IMPORTANCE OF THE DISTRICT BOARD AND ITS COMMITTEES IS QUITE LIKELY TO ESCALATE CORRESPONDINGLY, HE SAID.

HE NOTED THAT THE TRANSFER OF SUCH RESPONSIBILITIES AS LAND ADMINISTRATION AND SQUATTER CONTROL WAS BASICALLY TO ENABLE THE DISTRICT OFFICER TO CONCENTRATE ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME, AND ON THE CO-ORDINATION AND MONITORING OF ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS IN THE DISTRICT.

+THE DISTRICT OFFICER IS NOW ABLE TO SPARE MORE EFFORTS TO IDENTIFY DEFICIENCIES AND SHORTFALLS IN THE FACILITIES AND SERVICES IN THE DISTRICT, TO ENSURE THAT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES AND PRIORITIES FOR THE DISTRICT ARE APPROPRIATE AND COMPATIBLE WITH LOCAL ASPIRATIONS AND CIRCUMSTANCES, TO CO-ORDINATE DEPARTMENTS ACTIONS IN IMPROVING THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT OF THE DISTRICT, AND, LAST BUT NOT LEAST, TO CONVERT INTO ACTIONS THE TWIN CONCEPTS OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT' AND 'COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT',+ HE SAID

TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THESE TWIN CONCEPTS, MR YAP SAID THE FIRST STEP WAS TO INSTIL INTO THE RESIDENTS A SENSE OF DISTRICT IDENTITY WITHOUT WHICH IT WOULD BE FUTILE TO TALK OF FOSTERING MUTUAL CARE AND RESPONSIBILITY.

AT THE SAME TIME, HE SAID THE DISTRICT OFFICER STILL CO-ORDINATES WORK WHICH INVOLVES A NUMBER OF DEPARTMENTS AND CHAIRS VARIOUS CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEES, SUCH AS THOSE CONCERNING CLEARANCES, ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL AND STREET MANAGEMENT.

THIS IS