The Drainage Services Department (DSD) announced today (February 22) that the second stage maintenance works and replacement of electrical and mechanical facilities at the Stonecutters Island Sewage Treatment Works (SCISTW) are expected to be completed in March.
 
     The SCISTW has been in continuous operation 24 hours a day over the past 18 years since its commissioning in December 2001, during which time the DSD has provided timely maintenance. However, some of the key electrical and mechanical facilities are now approaching the end of their service lives. Replacement works have to be carried out to maintain the proper functioning of the system.
 
     The maintenance and replacement works will require the partial bypass of preliminarily treated sewage at the upstream preliminary treatment works into Victoria Harbour on up to five occasions, each not exceeding two weeks. The third bypass is scheduled to take place during the non-bathing season from March 4 to 17. The first and second bypasses were completed as scheduled last year. Subject to the progress of the maintenance and replacement works, the DSD will review the need and arrangement for further bypasses.
 
     Sewage bypass involves the submarine discharge of preliminarily treated sewage at seven of the 16 preliminary treatment works located on either side of Victoria Harbour (namely Chai Wan, Shau Kei Wan, Tseung Kwan O, Kwun Tong, To Kwa Wan, Tsing Yi and Kwai Chung preliminary treatment works) for dilution and dispersion at deep sea level. Areas concerned include the waters of Hong Kong Island East, Kowloon East and the Rambler Channel.
 
     Prior to the bypass, the DSD has formulated a series of mitigation and contingency measures. As attested by water quality monitoring results obtained by the DSD during the first and second bypasses, the impact on the water quality of Victoria Harbour was slight and transient. The water quality returned to normal a few days after cessation of the bypasses. The bypasses did not have significant impact on sensitive waters including beaches in Tsuen Wan, fish culture zones or coral sites near Victoria Harbour.
 
     The DSD has formulated the same mitigation and contingency measures, and will closely monitor the water quality of Victoria Harbour during the third bypass. The monitoring results will be uploaded to the DSD's website for public perusal (www.dsd.gov.hk/others/HATS1bypass).
 
     The public should avoid water sports, angling or seawater extraction in the potentially affected locations during the bypass period. Notices will be put up at relevant places including Approach Beach, Ting Kau Beach, Lido Beach, Casam Beach, Hoi Mei Wan, Gemini Beach, Anglers' Beach, Ma Wan Tung Wan and promenades along Victoria Harbour, to remind the public of the potential effect of the works.
 
     During the above period of maintenance works and sewage bypass, members of the public may call the DSD's hotline 7388 9900 (operating daily from 8am to 10pm) or email enquiry@dsd.gov.hk for enquiries.

     The Transport Department today (February 22) reminded the public that the Lunar New Year auction of vehicle registration marks will be held on February 24 (Sunday), at Meeting Room S221, L2, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai.

     A total of 45 vehicle registration marks will be put up for public auction. Forty-three of them are traditional vehicle registration marks (TVRMs) and two of them are personalised vehicle registration marks (PVRMs). The list of marks has been posted at the department's website, www.td.gov.hk.

     Bidders are reminded to bring the following documents for completion of registration and payment procedures immediately after the successful bidding:

(i) The identity document of the successful bidder;

(ii) The identity document of the purchaser if it is different from the successful bidder;

(iii) A copy of the certificate of incorporation if the purchaser is a body corporate; and

(iv) A crossed cheque made payable to "The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region" or "The Government of the HKSAR". Any bidders who wish to bid for both TVRMs and PVRMs should bring at least two crossed cheques for payment of auction prices. (For an auctioned mark paid for by cheque, the first three working days after the date of auction will be required for cheque clearance confirmation before processing of the application for mark assignment can be completed.) Successful bidders may also pay through the Easy Pay System (EPS), but are reminded to note the maximum transfer amount in the same day of the payment card. Payment by post-dated cheque, cash, credit card or other methods will not be accepted.
     
     People who wish to participate in the bidding at the auction should take note of the following important points:

(i) Purchasers must make payment of the purchase price through EPS or by crossed cheque and complete the Memorandum of Sale of Registration Mark or the Memorandum of Sale of Personalised Vehicle Registration Mark immediately after the bidding. Subsequent alteration of the particulars in the Memorandum will not be permitted;

(ii) A registration mark can only be assigned to a motor vehicle which is registered in the name of the purchaser. The Certificate of Incorporation must be produced immediately by the purchaser if a vehicle registration mark purchased is to be registered under the name of a body corporate;

(iii) The display of a vehicle registration mark on a motor vehicle should be in compliance with the requirements stipulated in Schedule 4 to the Road Traffic (Registration and Licensing of Vehicles) Regulations;

(iv) Any change to the arrangement of characters of a PVRM, including display in a single row only as auctioned, will not be allowed;

(v) Special vehicle registration marks are non-transferable. Where the ownership of a motor vehicle with a special vehicle registration mark is transferred, the allocation of the special vehicle registration mark shall be cancelled; and

(vi) The purchaser shall, within 12 months after the date of auction, apply to the Commissioner for Transport for the vehicle registration mark to be assigned to a motor vehicle registered in the name of the purchaser. If the purchaser fails to assign the registration mark within 12 months, allocation of the registration mark will be cancelled and arranged for re-allocation in accordance with the statutory provision without prior notice to the purchaser.

     For other auction details, please refer to the "Guidance Notes – Auction of Vehicle Registration Marks" and "Guidance Notes – Auction of PVRMs", which can be downloaded from the department's website, www.td.gov.hk.

     Approval has been given for the appointment of the Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr Kwok Yam-shu, as Deputy Commissioner of Police with effect from March 4, 2019, upon the retirement of Deputy Commissioner (Management), Ms Chiu Wai-yin.

     Brief biographical notes on Mr Kwok Yam-shu are set out below:

     Mr Kwok, 53 years old, joined the Hong Kong Police Force as an Inspector in 1990. He was promoted to Senior Superintendent in 2007, Chief Superintendent in 2011, Assistant Commissioner in 2014 and Senior Assistant Commissioner in 2017.

     In his first 14 years of police career, Mr Kwok worked in various crime posts including District Crime Squad, Regional Intelligence Unit and Organised Crime and Triad Bureau. Between 2007 and 2017, he served as the Head of Foundation Training Centre of Hong Kong Police College, District Commander of Central District, Deputy Regional Commander of Hong Kong Island, Regional Commander of Marine, Regional Commander of Hong Kong Island and Assistant Commissioner (Service Quality). Mr Kwok took up the Director of Management Service post in 2017.

  

     The Government announced today (February 22) the appointment of Ms Winnie Chiu Wai-yin as the new Ombudsman for a term of five years commencing April 1, 2019. The appointment is made by the Chief Executive in accordance with The Ombudsman Ordinance (Cap 397).

     Ms Chiu has served in the Hong Kong Police Force for over 35 years, during which she has accumulated rich experience in investigation, operations, policy planning and human resources management. She also possesses outstanding skills in leadership and communication. As the first female Deputy Commissioner of Police, Ms Chiu commands respect and is well recognised both in the Government and in the community. Her remarkable career in the Police bears testimony to her professionalism and competence.

     Commenting on the appointment, the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, said, "I am confident that Ms Chiu would fully demonstrate her independence and impartiality as the Ombudsman. Her extensive experience and clear vision would enable the Office of The Ombudsman to further its important mission of improving public administration in Hong Kong."

     The term of office of the incumbent Ombudsman, Ms Connie Lau, will expire on March 31, 2019. In paying tribute to the outgoing Ombudsman, Mrs Lam said, "Under Ms Lau's capable and outstanding leadership, the Office of The Ombudsman has proactively investigated systemic issues and offered constructive recommendations, thereby motivating government departments and public bodies to enhance the efficiency and quality of public services. Her sense of justice and fairness is well respected, and the sterling performance of her office has won recognition both in the local community and internationally."

     Mrs Lam wished Ms Lau all the best in her future endeavours.

     An open recruitment exercise was conducted earlier to select the new Ombudsman, and a Selection Board was appointed to assess the candidates and make recommendation to the Chief Executive. The Selection Board was chaired by Mr Chow Chung-kong, with Mrs Fanny Law, Mr Simon Ip and the Director of Administration as members.

  

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     During the winter surge, the Hospital Authority is closely monitoring the service demand of Accident and Emergency Departments and the occupancy rate in public hospitals. Key service statistics are being issued daily for public information. Details are in the appended table.