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Protests will not halt health project

A Government spokesman today (Saturday) reaffirmed that the construction work on the Kowloon Bay Primary Health Care Centre and the Nursing Home for the Elderly project would proceed as scheduled.

"We want to stress once again that this is going ahead," the spokesman said. "We hope the residents of Richland Gardens will accept the reality and co-operate with Government to ensure much needed health facilities are provided without further delay."

The spokesman also noted the Police are tasked with the duty to maintain law and order. While residents are free to express their views in a peaceful and lawful manner, any breach of the peace will not be tolerated.

Since the work on site started in May this year, 10 arrests had been made with three convictions. The Police will continue to take appropriate enforcement action to ensure the work of the project would proceed without delay.

Anyone found to be causing obstruction to the construction of the centre would be dealt with firmly in accordance with the law. Injunction orders may also be served to prevent any obstructive act.

If protesters are causing further obstruction to the construction workers or lorries entering or leaving the site, the Government will have no alternative but to close the nearby roads once again. The spokesman hoped that this would not be necessary as this measure had proved to cause inconvenience to other residents and road users.

He called on residents to liaise with the Kwun Tong District Officer whose door is always open to them. Richland Gardens residents are also urged to participate in the Patients Liaison Group of the Kowloon Bay Primary Health Care Centre to play an active role in the management of the centre when it comes into operation.

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