XN000022-1994-02-02 — Page 25

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1994

THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR MICHAEL SZE, WHEN REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON EDWARD HO SING-TIN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

MR SZE STRESSED THAT THE APPOINTMENT OF AN ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER SHOULD NOT AFFECT THE PROMOTION PROSPECTS OF THE PROFESSIONAL STAFF IN THE DEPARTMENT.

"AS HAS BEEN EXPLAINED TO SENIOR PROFESSIONAL STAFF IN THE DEPARTMENT, THESE ARRANGEMENTS SHOULD BE NECESSARY ONLY UNTIL SUCH TIME AS A SUITABLE PROFESSIONAL OFFICER CAN BE IDENTIFIED AND GROOMED TO TAKE OVER, HE SAID.

FI

MR SZE NOTED THAT THE BEST CANDIDATE FOR THE JOB WOULD NEED ΤΟ POSSESS ALL-ROUND LEADERSHIP QUALITIES, WELL-DEVELOPED MANAGEMENT SKILLS, AND CONSIDERABLE POLITICAL ACUMEN.

IT WOULD ALSO BE DESIRABLE FOR THE PERSON SElected tO HAVB A PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND, HE ADDED.

THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS IS A NEW POST RESULTING FROM THE REORGANISATION OF THE FORMER BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT WHOSE LAST TWO SUBSTANTIVE DIRECTORS WERE BOTH ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS.

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GOVT INTENDS TO COMPLETE AIRPORT RAILWAY BY MID-1997

IT REMAINS THE GOVERNMENT'S FIRM INTENTION ΤΟ COMPLETE THE AIRPORT RAILWAY PROJECT TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT POSSIBLE BY MID-1997 IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) CONCERNING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW AIRPORT.

THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR HAIDER BARMA, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LEE WING-TAT.

MR BARMA SAID: "THE DELAY IN THE AWARD OF RECLAMATION CONTRACT MEANS THAT IT WILL NOT BE POSSIBLE THE HONG KONG CENTRAL STATION BEFORE MID-1998."

BUT

THE CENTRAL TO COMPLETE

SECTION FROM

IT REMAINS THE GOVERNMENT'S AIM TO HAVE THE KOWLOON ΤΟ CHEK LAP KOK AND TUNG CHUNG OF THE AIRPORT RAILWAY COMPLETED AND IN OPERATION BY MID-1997.

ON THE QUESTION WHETHER DELAY WOULD INCREASE COST, MR BARMA SAID: "THE DELAY IN THE AWARD OF THE CENTRAL RECLAMATION CONTRACT HAS RESULTED IN AN INCREASE IN THE MONEY-OF-THE-DAY (MOD) COST ESTIMATE FOR THE RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION FROM $33.5 BILLION TO $34 BILLION.

"INDICATIONS ARE THAT EVERY SIX MONTHS' AGREEMENT WOULD RESULT IN AN EXTRA $2 BILLION IN FOR THE AIRPORT RAILWAY.

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DELAY IN REACHING - CONSTRUCTION COSTS

HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS TAKING EVERY POSSIBLE STEP IN KEEPING WITH THE MOU TO ENSURE THAT WORKS CONTINUED AS FAR AS POSSIBLE.

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