XN000022-1997-01-28 — Page 20

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RPIS projects alleviate threat of flooding in Tai Po

More than 8,000 villagers living along the Lam Tsuen River in Tai Po will no longer face flooding hazards, thanks to the completion of three water course improvement projects at the river, the Deputy Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Lee Lap-sun, said today (Tuesday).

Speaking at a ceremony marking the completion of Home Affairs Department's (HAD) latest Rural Planning and Improvement Strategy (RPIS) Minor Works projects, Mr Lee said the projects were funded by the HAD managed RPIS minor works and implemented by the Drainage Services Department to reinforce 1,300 metres of river banks along Tong Min Tsuen, Ma Po Mei and Fong Ma Po at a cost of about $9 million, $6 million and $8.5 million respectively.

In 1989, the Executive Council endorsed the RPIS Minor Works programme which sought to formulate a 10-year programme of infrastructural development and environmental improvement projects in rural areas in the New Territories.

To speed up the implementation of the scheme, HAD took over the planning and implementation of the programme from the Territory Development Department in 1994.

Mr Lee said 30 RPIS Minor Works projects worth a total of $40 million were completed in Tai Po in the past two years. Another 20 projects worth a total of $45 million will be completed or have commenced this year.

Describing the latest water course improvement projects as a good example of the RPIS Minor Works programme, Mr Lee said the Tai Po District Working Group had achieved remarkable results in implementing the programme with the support of the Lam Tsuen Valley Committee and the relevant government departments.

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