WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 1993
BEFORE CONCLUDING THEIR VISIT, MR AND MRS PATTEN MET DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS IN A RECEPTION AT THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING.
ON
THE GOVERNOR WAS ACCOMPANIED
THE TRIP BY THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MISS CHRISTINE CHOW; THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WONG HON-HO AND THE DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MẸ LÀM HANG-FAI.
WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING FRANCHISE
THE GOVERNMENT WILL ANNOUNCE THE DETAILS OF THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING FRANCHISE ON FRIDAY (JUNE 25) MORNING, WHEN THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING BILL WILL BE GAZETTED.
MEMBERS OF
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, AND THE AIRPORT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE, WILL BE BRIEFED ON THAT DAY,
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY): "THIS IS AN IMPORTANT ELEMENT IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG'S TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE. IT IS PART OF THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME, AND IT WILL ALSO RELIEVE GENERAL TRAFFIC CONGESTION AT THE EXISTING CROSS HARBOUR TUNNELS.
"DETAILS OF THE FRANCHISE AND THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING BILL WILL BE MADE PUBLIC ON FRIDAY, FOLLOWING AGREEMENT BEING REACHED ON THE FRANCHISE IN THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE ON JUNE 18.
"IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE PRESS AHEAD EXTREMELY QUICKLY WITH THE LEGISLATION, AND WE HOPE IT CAN BE APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS SESSION.
"THE URGENCY ARISES FROM THE NEED TO START CONSTRUCTION IN AUGUST. IF WE DO NOT MEET THAT DATE, THERE IS A RISK OF INCREASES IN COSTS,
AND DELAY IN OPENING THE CROSSING.
"THE GOVERNMENT HAS NEGOTIATED THE BEST POSSIBLE TERMS WITH THE FRANCHISEE; WESTERN HARBOUR TUNNEL COMPANY, ON A BUILD, OPERATE AND TRANSFER BASIS.
WE
"THE PRIMARY AIM HAS BEEN TO SAFEGUARD THE PUBLIC INTEREST. BELIEVE THAT THE ARRANGEMENTS WE WILL BE PUTTING TO LEGCO FULLY MEET THAT OBJECTIVE.
"THE ARRANGEMENTS INCLUDE A STABLE TOLL REGIME, AND PROVISION FOR THE FRANCHISEE TO EARN A REASONABLE RETURN ON INVESTMENT, WHICH IS ESSENTIAL FOR THE PROJECT'S COMMERCIAL VIABILITY."
/ATTENTION NEWS
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