In response to media enquiries about the M+ project in the West Kowloon Cultural District, a Government spokesperson responded today (July 16) as follows:
The West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WKCDA) reports regularly the implementation progress of different development projects at the meetings of the Board of WKCDA, including the M+ project constructed by the Hsin Chong Construction Company Limited (HCC). WKCDA is a dedicated statutory body established under the WKCDA Ordinance (Cap. 601). It is a body corporate with perpetual succession. The Board of WKCDA is the governing and executive body of WKCDA with authority to perform, in the name of WKCDA, the functions conferred or imposed on WKCDA by or under the WKCDA Ordinance. WKCDA is a legal entity with one legal personality, and its legal capacity is not affected by change in chairmanship and membership of the Board.
The WKCDA has been aware of the difficult financial position facing HCC and its parent company, Hsin Chong Group since late 2016. To ensure the continuity of the construction of the M+ project, the WKCDA has developed a positive risk mitigation plan. One of the measures has been an arrangement to pay key sub-contractors directly to ensure that they received payment for certified work done. The arrangement started in February 2017 with an aim to move the M+ project forward. It has also ensured stable employment and payment of wages for over 1 600 workers currently on the site and protected workers' labour rights and interests. The amount of money to be paid to key sub-contractors each month is deducted from the contract sum payable to HCC by the WKCDA.
Please enquire the WKCDA for details of eligible payments by the WKCDA to M+ sub-contractors for certified work done.
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