XN000022-1990-10-16 — Page 15

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1990

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NETWORK,

SERVICES,

THEY INCLUDED THE MAINTENANCE OF THE GEODETIC CONTROL TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEY, ENGINEERING SURVEY, CARTOGRAPHIC COMPUTERISED LAND INFORMATION SERVICES AND THE SALES OF MAPS, NAUTICAL CHARTS AND NAUTICAL PUBLICATIONS.

THE CONSULTANTS WILL REVIEW SERVICES RELATING TO THESE ACTIVITIES AND FUNCTIONS WHICH ARE PROVIDED OR REQUIRED AND WILL ASSESS THEIR DEMAND, STANDARDS, ADEQUACY AND COST-EFFECTIVENESS.

THE CONSULTANTS WILL ALSO EXAMINE AND ADVISE ON THE INSTITUTIONAL AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK REQUIRED TO ENSURE THE INTEGRITY, QUALITY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR, INCLUDING THE POSSIBLE need FOR A SURVEY AUTHORITY, AND OTHER MEASURES NECESSARY TO EXPAND THE CAPACITY AND ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF SURVEY AND MAPPING SERVICES IN HONG KONG.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID: "ON THE BASIS OF THE ASSESSMENT, THE CONSULTANTS WILL MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE OBJECTIVES, FUNCTIONS, ORGANISATION AND STAFFING AND FUTURE REQUIREMENT OF THE DEPARTMENT'S SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE (SMO) AND ASSOCIATED UNITS IN OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, INCLUDING THE CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES, DRAINAGE SERVICES, HIGHWAYS, WATER SUPPLIES, HOUSING, AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES AND MARINE DEPARTMENTS.

**

THE CONSULTANTS WILL ALSO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE, EITHER WITHIN THE SMO OR AS A SEPARATE ENTITY, AND ITS FUNCTIONS, ORGANISATION AND STAFF.

ALL RECOMMENDATIONS MADE WILL HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF THE NERD FOR COST-RECOVERY AND OVERALL COST-EFFECTIVENESS.

THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT IN VIEW OF THE VERY LIMITED DEVELOPABLE LAND AND MARINE AREAS IN HONG KONG, IT WAS ESSENTIAL THAT THE GOVERNMENT, DEVELOPERS, LANDOWNERS, PORT USERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD BE ABLE TO OBTAIN LAND AND ENGINEERING SURVEY, CARTOGRAPHIC AND NAUTICAL INFORMATION AND SERVICES WHICH WERE ACCURATE, RELIABLE, EFFICIENT AND UP-TO-DATE.

THE GOVERNMENT HAS SO FAR RELIED LARGELY ON ITS OWN IN-HOUSE SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE SMO AND PROFESSIONAL STAFF SECONDED FROM THE SMO TO OTHER DEPARTMENTS TO DIRECT AND SUPERVISE LAND AND ENGINEERING SURVEY WORK.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID: "THE

GOVERNMENT'S INTENTION TO RESTRICT CIVIL SERVICE GROWTH AND IMPROVE PRODUCTIVITY HAS PROMPTED THE NEED TO EXAMINE AND DEFINE THE RESPECTIVE ROLES OF THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN PROVIDING THESE SERVICES.

"THE DECISION TO EMBARK ON MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS SUCH AS THE NEW AIRPORT AND PORT EXPANSION GALVANIZES THE URGENCY OF THIS TASK.

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WORK ON THE CONSULTANCY STUDY WILL START SHORTLY. CONSULTANT IS EXPECTED TO COMPLETE ITS STUDY AND SUBMIT ITS FINAL REPORT TO THE DEPARTMENT IN ABOUT FOUR MONTHS.

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THE DRAFT