Chief Secretary for Administration Eric Chan Kwok-ki said the government would pursue accountability and push ahead with sweeping regulatory reforms following last year’s deadly fire at Tai Po’s Wang Fuk Court, as authorities move to finalize long-term rehousing arrangements for affected families and tighten oversight of building safety.
His remarks came as the Eighth Legislative Council held its first meeting on Wednesday, focusing on post-fire relief, rebuilding and regulatory reform in the wake of the tragedy.
Introducing a government motion, Chan expressed sorrow over the loss of life and property damage, saying authorities had been working across rescue, support, investigation and recovery efforts. He urged lawmakers to back measures to assist affected residents and restore normalcy.
As head of a dedicated task force on investigation and regulation, Chan said the government would strengthen oversight and enforcement of building maintenance and enhance the role of the Urban Renewal Authority in promoting repairs.
He also said the Smart Tender Service would be reinforced in the tendering process, including tighter pre-qualification requirements for owners involved in contractor selection.
To curb unexpected cost overruns in renovation projects, the government is considering higher quorum requirements for approving additional works at owners’ meetings, as well as reforms to voting systems to improve transparency and verify authorization letters.
Chan added that building regulations would be reviewed, including safety distance requirements for large-scale works involving scaffolding. A bill to ban smoking at construction sites is expected to be submitted to the Legislative Council within weeks.
On relief efforts, Chan said the Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court had reached about HK$4.3 billion, with 11 assistance programs launched so far involving around HK$1.2 billion in commitments.
About 43,000 residents remain in temporary accommodation, including hotels, youth hostels and transitional housing. Chan said more than 1,000 additional units were available for longer-term rehousing.
He also said a task force on emergency accommodation was preparing tailored long-term arrangements based on residents’ circumstances and preferences, while ensuring prudent use of public funds.
Earlier surveys on rehousing options, he added, were for reference only and would not bind residents to any final government plan or acquisition terms.
