Full move to expanded Legco complex by year-end

All 90 lawmakers are expected to relocate to the Legislative Council complex by the end of this year, following the completion of expansion work in November, said Legco president Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen.

The Legco complex has undergone a significant expansion, increasing to 14 floors from the previous 10.

The expansion, which utilizes the modular integrated construction approach, has incurred a cost of approximately HK$1.56 billion.

However, Leung clarified at the topping out ceremony yesterday that it does not imply an immediate move for lawmakers into their new offices.

"There is still considerable work to be done over the next six months, including the installation of curtain walls and the connection of new floors to electrical and information technology systems," he said.

Leung expressed hope that these tasks would be completed by November, enabling all lawmakers to work in the same building by the end of the year.

The ceremony was attended by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu and several senior officials, who also had the opportunity to visit the newly constructed office on the 12th floor.

Presently, about 40 lawmakers are temporarily working at the nearby Citic Tower while the expansion work is ongoing.

Wendy Hong Wen, an Election Committee lawmaker, expressed her anticipation to move to the new office, and stressed the difficulties in managing time when working in a separate building.

"The short intervals between meetings leave little time for rest if lawmakers have to return to their offices in another location," she said.

Another lawmaker, Chan Siu-hung, also anticipated the move and added that the construction progress exceeded expectations, as lawmakers had initially anticipated being able to move into the Legco complex next year at the earliest.

wallis.wang@singtaonewscorp.com