The Signature Project Scheme in Sha Tin undertaken by the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) has been presented with a Highly Commended Award in the New Engineering Contract (NEC) Project of the Year category of the NEC Awards 2018 organised by NEC, an organisation under the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) of the United Kingdom (UK). The NEC also presented a Highly Commended Award in the NEC Contract Innovation Through Additional Clauses category to the Development Bureau (DEVB) and works departments. Both awards underscored the excellent performance and support given to innovation during project delivery through collaborative partnership by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government.
 
     In recent years, the DEVB has been advocating collaborative partnership through the adoption of the NEC form in taking forward public works, shifting away from traditional form contracts. Since 2016, Practice Notes applicable to public works have been published for reference and adoption by the works departments and also the construction industry with a view to extending the application of the NEC form to more types of public works, while at the same time allowing industry stakeholders such as consultants and contractors to accumulate experiences.

     The Signature Project Scheme in Sha Tin undertaken by the CEDD is one of the public works that adopted the NEC form. The project includes the decking of the Tai Wai nullah in Sha Tin and revitalisation of the Shing Mun River Promenade near Sha Tin Town Centre in order to enrich sports facilities in the district and enhance the environment by revitalising the Shing Mun River promenade. The thematic lighting system installed on the bridges across Shing Mun River has been in operation since June last year. Meanwhile, a five-a-side soccer pitch innovatively built over the existing nullah is expected to be completed within this year, which is five months ahead of the original estimation.
 
     Attending the prize presentation ceremony on June 20 (London time) in London, the Deputy Project Manager (North) of the CEDD, Mr Law Man-tim, said that the building of mutual trust and co-operation among members of the project team in the early stage of the construction and the continuous efforts in maintaining such relationship is crucial to the successful implementation of the project. He added that through arranging regular meetings, workshops and activities, the communication and mutual trust among team members are effectively enhanced. The mechanism of early warnings set out in the works contract can also offer timely and effective solutions to the risks and challenges faced by the project, which facilitate its on-time and cost effective delivery.
 
     In addition the DEVB and works departments proposed an innovative contract clause for professional service contracts in the NEC form. Also present at the awards ceremony, the Chief Assistant Secretary (Works) of the DEVB, Ms Hortensia Chan, pointed out that the relevant clause could promote equitable risk sharing between the Government and the consultants for costs incurred in site supervision, thereby ensuring quality site supervision and contract management.

          

     The Department of Health (DH) is investigating a case of suspected mould contamination of a pharmaceutical product named Enzyplex (Hong Kong Registration Number: HK-06544) following a report from Queen Mary Hospital today (June 21). 

​     The DH's Drug Office has immediately collected samples of the product from various sources for further analysis to confirm whether the product exceeds the pharmacopoeial standards on mould and yeast content. The analysis usually takes five to seven days. The DH will announce the testing results and take further actions as necessary after the analysis is completed.

​     Enzyplex tablet, containing vitamins and digestive enzymes, is an over-the-counter medicine for digestive disorders. According to the local supplier Unam Corporation Ltd, the product was manufactured in Indonesia and imported to Hong Kong. It was supplied to the Hospital Authority, DH clinics, local private doctors, pharmacies and medicine stores, and also re-exported to Macao.

​     The DH has also instructed Unam to ask the manufacturer in Indonesia to conduct an investigation and submit a report. 

​     People who are consuming the product, or in doubt or feeling unwell after consumption, should seek advice from healthcare professionals.

     â€‹In response to media enquiries on a convicted case today (June 21) involving the use of a private car for illegal carriage of passengers for hire or reward, a spokesman for the Transport Department (TD) gave the following reply:

     The Government has been paying close attention to the use of private cars or light goods vehicles (LGVs) for illegal carriage of passengers for hire or reward (commonly known as "pak pai" service) and will tackle such offences by taking stringent enforcement actions. The TD has been in close liaison with the Police and will refer suspected cases to the Police for follow-up actions.

     Subsections (3), (5) and (10)(a) of section 52 and Schedule 4 of the Road Traffic Ordinance (Cap 374) stipulate that an offender who uses a private car or LGV for the illegal carriage of passengers for hire or reward, or who solicits or attempts to solicit any person to travel in such a vehicle, is liable to a fine of $5,000 and three months' imprisonment on the first conviction. The licence of the subject vehicle may also be suspended for three months. On the second or subsequent conviction, the person is liable to a fine of $10,000 and six months' imprisonment. For a subsequent offence in respect of the same motor vehicle, the licence of that vehicle may be suspended for six months.

     As regards today's case in which a driver provided carriage service through the "Uber" mobile application and was fined $3,000 by the court for illegal carriage of passengers for hire or reward, the TD will follow the established procedures to deliver a notice of intention to suspend the licence of the motor vehicle to the registered owner pursuant to section 90 of the Road Traffic Ordinance.

     The TD will proceed to arrange suspension of the vehicle licence in accordance with the relevant legislative requirements and direct the registered owner to deliver the motor vehicle into the custody of the department until the expiry of the suspension period.

     The TD will continue to support the Police for their enforcement actions in combating illegal carriage of passengers. From 2015 to the second quarter of 2018, a total of 46 vehicles have been impounded by the TD with the vehicle licences suspended due to convictions for the offence of illegal carriage of passengers for hire or reward.

     The winners of the Best Landscape Award for Private Property Development 2018 were announced at a prize presentation ceremony today (June 21). Thirteen private properties with outstanding landscape design and quality horticultural maintenance received Gold Awards.
 
     In addition to the 13 Gold Awards, 39 Merit Awards and 12 Environmental Efficiency Awards were given out at the ceremony to commend organisations for their efforts in greening and enhancing public awareness of green issues.
 
     Speaking at the ceremony, the Acting Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Ida Lee, said the Best Landscape Award, held once every two years since its launch in 2000, aims to bring about sustained environmental improvements in private property developments. The Best Landscape Award also encourages private bodies to incorporate more quality green elements into the planning and management of horticultural projects for the benefit of such developments, she said.
 
     Ms Lee pointed out that several changes were made to optimise the arrangement this year to encourage participation from more organisations. The number of categories increased from three to five while the age groups and sizes of properties were also amended.
 
     She added that the response was encouraging. More than 240 nominated entries were received and the projects were impressive, showing that the participating organisations had put plenty of effort into greening.
 
     The soft landscape designs of the winning projects are visually appealing. A large variety of plants including native tree species have been used to beautify the properties. The landscape features are also well integrated with the surrounding environment, meeting the challenge of creating pleasant areas which benefit both the residents and their neighbourhoods in the densely populated city.
 
     Property management and maintenance professionals have also kept good care of the landscaping, offering quality greening areas to residents. Some projects, also winners of the Environmental Efficiency Award, have put an emphasis on environmental protection, collecting rainwater for reuse and applying organic fertiliser made from food waste.
 
     The prize presentation ceremony was held at Kowloon Park Sports Centre today. Other officiating guests were the Patron of the Institute of Horticulture (Hong Kong), Sir David Akers-Jones; the President of the Hong Kong Institute of Architects, Mr Marvin Chen; the Immediate Past President of the Hong Kong Institute of Landscape Architects, Mr Wong Tak-yip; the President of the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors, Mr Dick Kwok; the Chairman of the Professional Green Building Council, Dr Paul Ho; and the President of the Hong Kong Association of Property Management Companies, Dr Johnnie Chan.
 
     The competition presented awards in five categories. The Gold Award winners are as follows:
 
Domestic property:
 
(1) Large-scale domestic property (with more than 1 500 domestic units)

(2) Medium-scale domestic property (two to four domestic buildings and with no more than 1 500 domestic units, or with 401 to 1 500 domestic units)

(3) Small-scale domestic property (single building or with no more than 400 domestic units)

Non-domestic property (such as shopping malls, commercial buildings, schools under the Direct Subsidy Scheme (private premises) and private schools):
 
(4) Large-scale non-domestic property (with a gross floor area of 20 000 square metres or above)

(5) Small-scale non-domestic property (with a gross floor area under 20 000 square metres)

     Photographs of all winning properties will be on display from June 23 to July 16 at the Kowloon Park Arcade. Admission is free.

            

     Hong Kong Customs today (June 21) alerted members of the public to the potential hazards posed by a type of shovel and fork toy set. They are advised not to let children play with these toys to ensure their safety. Test results indicated that the shovel could pose a suffocation risk to children.

     Customs officers earlier conducted a test-buy operation and purchased the toy set from a department store for safety testing by the Government Laboratory. Results revealed that the design of the shovel of the toy set failed to meet the requirements as specified in related toy standards, and children could easily cover their mouth and nose with the shovel tightly, posing a risk of suffocation.

     Customs officers subsequently seized the above-mentioned toy sets from the department store and its warehouse. A total of 193 sets were seized. Investigation is ongoing.  

     Under the Toys and Children's Products Safety Ordinance, it is an offence to manufacture, import or supply unsafe toys or children's products. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for one year on first conviction, and a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for two years on subsequent conviction.

     Members of the public may report information relating to suspected unsafe toys or children's products to the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).