HONG KONG PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
Mr. Joseph Chan Yuek-sut (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I did not talk to the Director of Drainage Services concerning this reply. I said in the reply document that the drainage system might be unable to cope with actual need and there could be other factors as well. I have not drawn a conclusion. I have just pointed out a possibility.
In a news report of 3 September, responsibility was attached to the Territory Development Department. 'Culprit of flooding in Mong Kok exposed. Territory Development Department cannot shrug away the blame.' That was mainly caused by a discovery in the West Kowloon Reclamation Area. Reportedly, the Drainage Services Department sent divers to make in-depth investigations in drainage channels within the reclamation area and discovered that the problem was due to accumulation of sand there. Apparently, during construction, contractors with poor sense of civic responsibilities poured sand and debris into the channels. Again, I have not consulted the Drainage Services Department on this point. I just read about it in the newspaper. As to whether the above is the main cause, I read in the newspaper that the truth would be disclosed in a month or two and there would be a comprehensive report. The real situation will be clear then.
As to whether there are other factors, of course there are. Refuse or plastic bags washed down the drains might be a cause, although it is not the only one. Some people questioned the case and put the blame on plastic bags. Others alleged that a lot of plastic bags were used by the large number of garment selling shops. There are just as many shops using plastic bags in Causeway Bay with heavy people flow. How come this area is not suffering from flooding? If Mong Kok suffers on this account but not Causeway Bay, the explanation is hardly acceptable. I think we cannot explain flooding simply as a situation caused by plastic bags.
On whether there are sufficient refuse bins, Mr. Chairman, I think there are sufficient ones placed not so far apart in the area. As for the situation (as in paragraph 2 of the reply document) of certain old tenement buildings (3 or 4 storey buildings) which do not employ cleaning company to collect refuse, are not managed by management companies and do not have any MAC to handle matters, many residents, out of convenience, leave domestic refuse on the streets by the side of refuse bins. The bags of domestic refuse are referred to as 'rice dumplings' by USD personnel and the act of throwing out refuse is called 'dumping rice dumplings'. The only thing USD can do is to help them clear away the 'rice dumplings'.
At present, the Department is carrying out a special publicity and education campaign on hygiene which seeks to enhance hygiene awareness of members of the public. The Department is also stepping up cleaning work by sending out a team at night to clear away refuse placed by the side of refuse bins.
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HONG KONG PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
Mr. Joseph Chan Yuek-sut (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I did not talk to the Director of Drainage Services concerning this reply. I said in the reply document that the drainage system might be unable to cope with actual need and there could be other factors as well. I have not drawn a conclusion. I have just pointed out a possibility.
In a news report of 3 September, responsibility was attached to the Territory Development Department. Culprit of flooding in Mong Kok exposed. Territory Development Department cannot shrug away the blame.' That was mainly caused by a discovery in the West Kowloon Reclamation Area Reportedly, the Drainage Services Department sent divers to make in-depth investigations in drainage channels within the reclamation area and discovered that the problem was due to accumulation of sand there. Apparently, during construction, contractors with poor sense of civic responsibilities poured sand and debris into the channels. Again. I have not consulted the Drainage Services Department on this point. I just read about it in the newspaper. As to whether the above is the main cause, I read in the newspaper that the truth would be disclosed in a month or two and there would be a comprehensive report. The real situation will be clear then.
As to whether there are other factors, of course there are. Refuse or plastic bags washed down the drains might be a cause, although it is not the only one. Some people questioned the case and put the blame on plastic bags. Others alleged that a lot of plastic bags were used by the large number of garment selling shops. There are just as many shops using plastic bags in Causeway Bay with heavy people flow. How come this area is not suffering from flooding? If Mong Kok suffers on this account but not Causeway Bay, the explanation is hardly acceptable. I think we cannot explain flooding simply as a situation caused by plastic bags.
On whether there are sufficient refuse bins, Mr. Chairman, I think there are sufficient ones placed not so far apart in the area. As for the situation (as in paragraph 2 of the reply document) of certain old tenement buildings (3 or 4 storey buildings) which do not employ cleaning company to collect refuse, are not managed by management companies and do not have any MAC to handle matters, many residents, out of convenience, leave domestic refuse on the streets by the side of refuse bins. The bags of domestic refuse are referred to as 'rice dumplings' by USD personnel and the act of throwing out refuse is called 'dumping rice dumplings'. The only thing USD can do is to help them clear away the 'rice dumplings'.
At present, the Department is carrying out a special publicity and education campaign on hygiene which seeks to enhance hygiene awareness of members of the public. The Department is also stepping up cleaning work by sending out a team at night to clear away refuse placed by the side of refuse bins.
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