XN000022-1994-03-30 — Page 3

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1994

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MR ALAN RICHARDSON, JP (AGED 52)

MR RICHARDSON JOINED THE GOVERNMENT AS A CHIEF TREASURY ACCOUNTANT IN 1976.

HE WAS PROMOTED TO ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTING SERVICES IN 1981 AND TO DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTING SERVICES IN 1993.

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PUBLIC WORKS QUALITY TO IMPROVE

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THE QUALITY OF PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS IS EXPECTED ΤΟ TAKE ANOTHER STEP TOWARDS PERFECTION AS THE GOVERNMENT IS TO INTRODUCE QUALITY ASSURANCE STANDARDS IN PUBLIC CONSTRUCTION WORKS.

"THE WORKS BRANCH, WITH THE SUPPORT AND AGREEMENT OF THE WORKS DIRECTORS, HAS APPROVED A FRAMEWORK FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF ISO 9000 QUALITY ASSURANCE STANDARDS IN OUR CONSTRUCTION WORKS, ACCORDING то SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR JAMES BLAKE,

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HE WAS ADDRESSING A SEMINAR ON "QUALITY IN PUBLIC WORKS" ORGANISED BY THE WORKS BRANCH TO EXPLAIN THE GOVERNMENT'S POLICY AND OBJECTIVE ON THE QUALITY OF CONSTRUCTION IN PUBLIC WORKS.

MR BLAKE SAID THERE WAS A GROWING AWARENESS OF THE NEED FOR INTERNATIONAL QUALITY STANDARDS IN HONG KONG.

"INDEED, MANY OF OUR CONTRACTORS AND CONSULTANTS HAVE ALREADY ACHIEVED ISO 9000 CERTIFICATION, OR PLAN TO DO SO," HE SAID.

"THE REASON WHY WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT QUALITY IN PUBLIC WORKS IS SIMPLE.'

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"IN THE 1990'S WE CAN NO LONGER AFFORD THE LUXURY OF INEVITABLE TIME AND COST OVERRUNS.

"IN

PUBLIC WORKS CONSTRUCTION TODAY, WE ARE NOT ONLY EXPECTED то BUILD ON TIME AND WITHIN BUDGET, BUT ALSO TO ACHIEVE VALUE FOR MONEY AND QUALITY IN THE COMPLETED WORK.

"QUALITY ASSURANCE IS INTENDED TO ENSURE CONSTRUCTION ΤΟ SPECIFICATION AND REDUCE COST BY DOING THINGS RIGHT AT THE FIRST TIME.

MR BLAKE SAID THERE WERE OTHER BENEFITS.

"ONE OF THEM IS ENHANCED SITE SAFETY BY REDUCING THE NUMBER OF HAZARDOUS SITUATIONS WHICH CAN CAUSE INJURY OR LOSS OF LIFE.

"INDEED, MANY CONTRACTORS ALREADY INCLUDE A SAFETY PROCEDURES IN THEIR PROJECT QUALITY PLANS.

MR BLAKE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD MAINTAIN CLOSE LIAISON THE RELEVANT PROFESSIONAL AND TRADE ASSOCIATIONS.

WITH

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