The owner of Australia Motor Service at Li Tak Street in Tai Kok Tsui illegally handled spent lubricating oil and was fined $19,000 by Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts today (November 8) for contravening the Waste Disposal (Chemical Waste) (General) Regulation.

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) conducted a blitz inspection in May. It was found that after replacing lubricating oil for its customers, the vehicle maintenance workshop concerned arbitrarily placed the spent lubricating oil, which is classified as chemical waste, inside the garage. The spent lubricating oil was not properly labelled or stored in a leakproof device. After the EPD's investigation, it was confirmed that the owner of the vehicle maintenance workshop did not register with the department as a chemical waste producer. After evidence gathering, the EPD initiated prosecution against the owner concerned for contravening the Regulation.

     An EPD spokesman explained that spent lubricating oil generated by vehicle maintenance workshops is classified as chemical waste and contains various toxic chemicals. Improper handling of such waste will cause the spent lubricating oil to leak into nearby drains and soil, which pollutes the environment and causes harm to public health.
 
     The spokesman reminded all garage operators and workers engaged in the vehicle repair business that they should register as chemical waste producers with the EPD in accordance with the above Regulation. Chemical waste must be properly packaged, labelled and stored, and has to be collected by licensed chemical waste collectors for delivery to licensed chemical waste disposal facilities for treatment. In addition, for replacement of lubricating oil or batteries, vehicle owners should engage the services of vehicle repair garages or companies that have registered with the EPD.

     Under the Regulation, first-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months' imprisonment.
 
     Members of the public may visit the EPD's website for more information about the control of chemical waste: www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/guide_ref/guide_cwc.html.

     The Department of Health (DH) today (November 8) endorsed a licensed drug wholesaler, Hitpharm Pharmaceutical Company Ltd, to recall all batches of Ipufen Tablet 200mg (registration number: HK-64033) from the market due to a quality issue.
 
     During the DH's market surveillance, samples of the above pharmaceutical product were collected for analysis. Testing results from the Government Laboratory showed that the samples failed the disintegration test, which might affect the efficacy of the product.
 
     Hitpharm thus voluntarily recalled the product from the market and has set up a hotline (2111 3862) to answer related enquiries. The DH has also instructed Hitpharm to report the root cause upon investigation by its manufacturer in Taiwan. The DH's investigation is continuing.
 
     According to Hitpharm, the product has been supplied to local private doctors and pharmacies.
 
     The above pharmaceutical product contains Ibuprofen, which is a Part 1 poison under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap 138) and is used to treat pain and inflammation. It can only be supplied at a pharmacy under the supervision of a registered pharmacist.
 
     "So far, the DH has not received any adverse reaction reports in connection with the above product. The DH will closely monitor the recall," a spokesman for the DH said.
 
     Members of the public should consult healthcare professionals if in doubt or feeling unwell after using the product.

  

     The Government Property Agency invited tenders for the purchase of 10 former government quarters in September 2018 and today (November 8) announced the tender award for the following six properties at the highest total sale price of $285,410,199:

(i) The 4th Floor of Block 41 and Car Parking Space No. 80 on Ground Floor of Blocks 41, 42, 43 and 44, Baguio Villa, No. 550 Victoria Road, Hong Kong (at $36,000,000);

(ii) The 11th Floor of Block 41 and Car Parking Space No. 178 on Upper Ground Floor of Blocks 41, 42, 43 and 44, Baguio Villa, No. 550 Victoria Road, Hong Kong (at $34,300,000);

(iii) The 2nd Floor of Block 43 and Car Parking Space No. 138 on Upper Ground Floor of Blocks 41, 42, 43 and 44, Baguio Villa, No. 550 Victoria Road, Hong Kong (at $ 32,100,199);

(iv) Apartment No. 2 on the 18th Floor of Block A and Car Parking Space No. 28 on C1 Floor of Block A, Elm Tree Towers, No. 8 Chun Fai Road, Hong Kong (at $46,900,000);

(v) Flat B on the 4th Floor and Car Parking Space No. 9 on Upper Ground Floor, MacDonnell House, Nos. 6 and 8 MacDonnell Road, Hong Kong (at $62,310,000); and

(vi) Apartment No. B2 on the 8th Floor and Car Parking Space No. 19, Po Shan Mansions, Nos. 10 and 12 Po Shan Road, Hong Kong (at $73,800,000).

     The tenders for the following four properties have been cancelled:

(i) The 8th Floor of Block 41 and Car Parking Space No. 10 on Ground Floor of Blocks 41, 42, 43 and 44, Baguio Villa, No. 550 Victoria Road, Hong Kong;

(ii) The 13th Floor of Block 41 and Car Parking Space No. 160 on Upper Ground Floor of Blocks 41, 42, 43 and 44, Baguio Villa, No. 550 Victoria Road, Hong Kong;

(iii) Apartment No. 1 on the 16th Floor of Block A and Car Parking Space No. 27 on C1 Floor of Block A, Elm Tree Towers, No. 8 Chun Fai Road, Hong Kong; and

(iv) Apartment A on the 2nd Floor and Car Parking Space No. 9 on Ground Floor, Pokfulam Mansion, No. 94B Pok Fu Lam Road, Hong Kong.
     
     All tenderers have been informed of the tender result in writing.

     The dance theatre production "Swan Lake/Loch na hEala" will be staged in the New Vision Arts Festival (NVAF) this month at the Kwai Tsing Theatre.
 
     A depression sufferer was shot dead in Ireland during a stand-off with the police in 2000, prompting a widespread public outcry. Deeply touched by the incident, acclaimed Irish choreographer Michael Keegan-Dolan turned the classic "Swan Lake" traditions into a story for modern times.
 
     Drawn by this case and other stories of people on the margins of society, Keegan-Dolan brought together the Irish myths of "Children of Lir", magical realism and dark desolation to turn "Swan Lake" traditions into a ferocious, heart-rending reinvention. A depression sufferer replaces the prince while the cursed swans are silent victims of sexual abuse. Alongside such weighty themes and a searing original score, flashes of light and life shine through, taking viewers on a roller-coaster quest to transcend fate and find the redemption made possible through love.
 
     Performed by Teac Damsa of Ireland, "Swan Lake/Loch na hEala" features live music by Slow Moving Clouds and the contributions of an array of artists such as set designer Sabine Dargent, costume designer Hyemi Shin, lighting designer Adam Silverman and performers including Elizabeth Cameron Dalman, Zen Jefferson, Anna Kaszuba, Alex Leonhartsberger, Mikel Murfi, Erik Nevin, Keir Patrick, Rachel Poirier and Carys Staton. The production won the National Dance Award for Best Modern Choreography and Irish Times Theatre Awards for Best Production and Costume Design.
 
     "Swan Lake/Loch na hEala" (in English with Chinese surtitles) is one of the programmes of the NVAF. It will be performed at 8pm on November 16 and 17 and at 3pm on November 18 at the Kwai Tsing Theatre Auditorium, with a meet-the-artist session to be held after the performance on November 16. Tickets priced from $160 to $420 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For credit card telephone bookings, please call 2111 5999.
 
     Organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the NVAF is celebrating its ninth edition this year and is being held from October 19 to November 18. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2370 1044 or visit www.newvisionfestival.gov.hk.
 
     "Swan Lake/Loch na hEala" is a co-production by Michael Keegan-Dolan; Sadler’s Wells Theatre London; Colours International Dance Festival, Theaterhaus Stuttgart; Dublin Theatre Festival; and Theatre de la Ville, Luxembourg. International touring is supported by Culture Ireland.
 

    

     The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Joshua Law, today (November 8) visited the Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA). He met with its management and staff of various grades to learn more about their work and matters that concern them.

     Mr Law first met with the Director-General of Communications, Miss Agnes Wong, and the directorate staff to get an update on the work of the Department as the executive arm and secretariat of the Communications Authority (CA), and how it assists the CA in administering and enforcing ordinances regulating broadcasting and telecommunications services.
 
     He then toured various branches of the OFCA to learn more about colleagues’ work, which includes administering broadcasting licences, investigating complaints against radio frequency interference, planning and assigning radio frequency spectrum, conducting spectrum auctions and doing preparatory work for the upcoming 5G mobile services.

    Before concluding his visit, Mr Law met with staff representatives of various grades at a tea gathering to exchange views on matters of concern. He encouraged colleagues to continue contributing to the provision of quality broadcasting and telecommunication services with dedication and professionalism.