The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The Legislative Council (LegCo) Panel on Food Safety and Environmental Hygiene visited the Aberdeen Market today (October 5) to better understand the progress of the overhaul works and the modernised facilities to be provided in the said market.
Accompanied by the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, Members first received a briefing by representatives of the Architectural Services Department and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department on the scope of the overhaul of the Aberdeen Market. Members also observed the environment and various new facilities to be provided in the overhauled market, including two new accessible lifts and two cargo lifts for exclusive use by the market as well as new facilities designated for recycling of discarded foam boxes.
Members expressed concerns over a number of issues to the Government, including daily management and maintenance of the overhauled market, waste treatment and anti-rodent measures, hygiene and odour management as well as application of innovative technologies to enhance the effectiveness of the aforementioned work. Members also urged the relevant departments to follow up their concerns properly.
The overhaul of the Aberdeen Market is a pioneering project of the Market Modernisation Programme. Members were pleased to learn that the overhauled market is expected to be open in the first quarter of 2023 and will provide around 150 stalls. With the installation of an air-conditioning system, widened passageways and upgraded barrier-free facilities, the competitiveness of the overhauled market can be enhanced by providing patrons with a more pleasant shopping environment and facilitating tenants to do business.
During the visit, Members were also briefed by the Government on the construction progress of the Tung Chung temporary market, which is expected to be completed for commissioning in the fourth quarter of this year.
A total of 14 members and non-members of the Panel on Food Safety and Environmental Hygiene attended the visit.
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