Agnes Lam
Lawmaker Agnes Lam has expressed doubts about the local government’s supervision of state-owned lands, following the recent discovery of illegal engineering works and land occupation at the Hac Sa village.
The incident led to the Land, Public Works and Transport Bureau (DSSOPT) being accused of not taking the initiative to regularly inspect potential cases of illegal land occupation.
Lam pointed out that a similar illegal occupation and lake filling incident had already occurred back in 2009.
She noted that the government only suspends such illegal works after receiving reports from residents, by which time the works have already damaged local ecosystems.
Regarding the Hac Sa incident, Lam noted that the party responsible ignored DSSOPT’s suspension notice, showing DSSOPT’s ineffectiveness in halting such projects.
Lam remarked that residents of the village became aware of the project half a year ago, but that DSSOPT only suspended the works in January 2018.
She asked whether DSSOPT and other departments had received any complaints or followed up on the case during that period.
Lam questioned the mechanics of interdepartmental communication regarding land supervision, particularly for the Cartography and Cadastre Bureau, and asked whether the government plans to improve on the issue.
No Comments