Structural safety assured at Siu Lam light public housing site after unauthorised screw cutting find

The structural integrity of Siu Lam’s Lok On Pai light public housing project remains secure despite the discovery of improperly cut supporting screws in concrete core walls, the Architectural Services Department confirmed on Friday.

During a routine inspection, officials identified 23 severed screws on the fourth and fifth floors of the development.

The department immediately ordered the main contractor to suspend related activities and begin reinstalling the affected support panels and reassembling modular components.

The Housing Bureau emphasized that the incident demonstrates the effectiveness of their site supervision system. The unauthorized modifications, carried out by a subcontractor's worker who has since been dismissed, were detected through regular monitoring protocols.

All light public housing projects continue to progress on schedule and in compliance with safety requirements, according to the bureau.

The contractor has been issued a formal warning and must submit a comprehensive corrective plan while enhancing oversight measures.

The Architectural Services Department has expanded inspections to other light public housing sites managed by the same contractor, and no similar issues have been found elsewhere.

Repairs at the Siu Lam site are underway with additional resources deployed to maintain the project timeline, said the department.

The Housing Bureau reaffirmed its commitment to delivering quality housing units on schedule while maintaining strict safety standards.

(Marco Lam)