XN000022-1989-10-30 — Page 6

MONDAY, OCTOBER 30. 1989

5

PUBLIC CO-OPERATION TO ENABLE URBCO TO IMPROVE

QUALITY OF LIFE

* * * * *

THE HELP AND CO-OPERATION OF EVERYONE LIVING AND WORKING IN HONG KONG IS NEEDED TO ENABLE THE URBAN COUNCIL то CONTINUE ITS EFFORTS IN IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE TERRITORY WITH INCREASING VIGOUR. THE DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES. MR JAMES

So. SAID TODAY (MONDAY).

OF

SPEAKING AT THE LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE ASSOCIATION CHAIRMEN OF THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS. MR SO SAID THAT AS THE FIRST STEP. THE HONG KONG PUBLIC MUST TAKE A GREATER INTEREST IN THE WORK AND SERVICES OF THE URBAN COUNCIL AND ITS AFFAIRS.

"THIS INCLUDES TAKING A MORE DIRECT AND CLOSER INVOLVEMENT IN URBAN COUNCIL ELECTIONS AND IN GREATER PARTICIPATION IN ALL TYPES OF COUNCIL ACTIVITIES, ENTERING INTO PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COUNCIL IN CO-SPONSORING ACTIVITIES. DONATING TOWARDS THE PROVISION OF COUNCIL FACILITIES OR FINANCING COUNCIL'S ACTIVITIES," HE SAID.

*+

IT ALSO INVOLVED THE ACTIVE AND CONSCIOUS CO-OPERATION OF ALL TO HELP THE COUNCIL DISCHARGE SOME OF ITS MORE DIFFICULT AND LESS PLEASANT TASKS SUCH AS REFRAINING FROM LITTERING THE STREETS, APPLYING DUE CARE IN THE USE OF COUNCIL FACILITIES AND DISCOURAGING STREET HAWKING BY NOT PATRONISING THEM AS FAR AS POSSIBLE. HE ADDED.

OUTLINING THE FULL RANGE OF THE COUNCIL'S WORK, MR SO SAID THAT ITS FIRST AND FOREMOST RESPONSIBILITY WAS ON ENVIRONMENTAL AND PUBLIC HYGIENE.

"THE AIMS HERE ARE TO ENSURE THAT WE ALL LIVE IN A HEALTHY HYGIENIC ENVIRONMENT AND THAT WE CAN ENJOY OUR MEALS WHEREVER WE THEM WITHOUT FEAR OF CONTRACTING DISEASES OR SUFFERING FROM POISONING, HE SAID.

4

AND

TAKE FOOD

THE DIRECTOR POINTED OUT THAT THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAD A LARGE ARMY OF CLEANSING LABOURERS TOTALLING 5 029 WIT]1 A FLEET OF OVER 200 SPECIAL REFUSE COLLECTION AND CLEANSING VEHICLES TO MAINTAIN AN EVER IMPROVING STANDARD OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND PUBLIC HYGIENE.

MR SO SAID: "EVERY DAY WE COLLECT AN AVERAGE OF 2 800 TONNES OF REFUSE IN THE URBAN AREAS. THIS WORK ALONE COSTS THE COUNCIL SOME $273 MILLION A YEAR.

I

IN ADDITION, THE COUNCIL EMPLOYS 161 HEALTH INSPECTORS AND 1 890 MEN AT VARIOUS RANKS OF THE GENERAL DUTIES TEAMS TO ENSURE FOOD HYGIENE AND TO CONTROL ILLEGAL HAWKINGS RESPECTIVELY.

ON RECREATION FACILITIES. MR SO SAID THAT THE URBAN COUNCIL, THROUGH! THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, AT PRESENT MANAGED 552 HECTARES OF PUBLIC PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS, CHILDREN'S PLAYGROUNDS WELL-PLANTED LEISURE SITTING-OUT AREAS.

AND

"UNDER PLANNING