XN000022-1985-01-09 — Page 34

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9.

JANUARY 9, 1985

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IMPROVING LIFE IN WALLED CITY

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IT IS THE GOVERNMENT'S POLICY TO PROVIDE SERVICES AND FACILITIES TO RESIDENTS OF THE KOWLOON WALLED CITY, HAVING REGARD TO PRIORITIES IN THE ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES AND THE PHYSICAL CONDITIONS OF THE AREA, THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION, MR DAVID AKERS-JONES SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

HE WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WHAT PLANS THE GOVERNMENT HAD TO IMPROVE LIVING CONDITIONS IN THE WALLED CITY.

IN THE VICINITY OF THE WALLED CITY, THERE ARE SCHOOLS, CLINICS, SOCIAL WELFARE CENTRES AND THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, TO WHICH RESIDENTS HAVE RELATIVELY EASY ACCESS, + MR AKERS-JONES SAID.

+ THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD HAS ALSO BEEN ACTIVE IN IMPROVING THE WELL-BEING OF THE WALLED CITY RESIDENTS IN RECENT YEARS BY IMPROVING THE FOOTPATHS AND THE MAIN ALLEYWAYS AND IN PROVIDING FOR A COMPREHENSIVE STREET LIGHTING PROGRAMME,+ HE ADDED.

MR AKERS-JONES SAID A NUMBER OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS PROVIDE SERVICES TO THE WALLED CITY, TREATING IT NO DIFFERENTLY FROM OTHER PARTS OF HONG KONG.

+THE CITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT, FOR INSTANCE, COLLECTS REFUSE FROM THE AREA EVERY DAY, A POSTAL SERVICE IS PROVIDED, REGULAR POLICE PATROLS ARE MADE AND A FULL RANGE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES IS AVAILABLE IN THE EVENT OF FIRE, FLOODING AND OTHER EMERGENCIES, HE SAID.

+THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE HELPS RESIDENTS TO FORM MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES TO PROMOTE THE BETTER MANAGEMENT OF THE IR BUILDINGS.

VOLUNTARY AGENCIES WERE ACTIVE WITHIN THE WALLED CITY, OPERATING YOUTH CENTRES, CHILD CARE CENTRES, SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY, KINDERGARTENS AND PRIMARY SCHOOLS.

PUBLIC UTILITIES, SUCH AS TELEPHONE, GAS, AND ELECTRICITY SUPPLIES WERE ALSO PROVIDED, WHILE STANDPIPES LOCATED BOTH WITHIN AND OUTSIDE THE WALLED CITY PROVIDE WATER TO RESIDENTS.

+PLANS TO IMPROVE THE WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM ARE BEING STUDIED BY THE RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, MR AKERS-JONES SAID.

A MAJOR RECREATIONAL AMENITY, THE CARPENTER ROAD PARK, IS ABOUT TO BE BUILT NEXT TO THE WALLED CITY.

+ IT WILL PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ACTIVE SPORTS AS WELL AS RELAXATION FOR THE THOUSANDS OF KOWLOON CITY RESIDENTS, WHETHER THEY LIVE IN OR OUTSIDE THE WALLED CITY, HE SAID.

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