Hong Kong leader says fire report reveals regulatory failures, 120 recommendations made
Hong Kong leader John Lee said an independent report on a fatal fire at Wang Fu Court in Tai Po found professionals and contractors allegedly abandoned duties, making regulation "nominal." The report made 120 recommendations to improve oversight.
Hong Kong leader John Lee said on 29 October that an independent committee report on a fire at Wang Fu Court in Tai Po revealed multiple key findings, including that people involved in the works allegedly used non-fire-retardant scaffold nets passed off as fire-retardant ones, along with non-fire-retardant polystyrene foam and other flammable materials. For convenience, they also allegedly illegally created openings in fire escape staircases, causing the fire to spread rapidly and leading to mass casualties.
Lee, citing the report, said the long-standing regulatory system design relied on the integrity and professional conduct of building professionals, registered contractors, and registered fire services contractors to carry out regulatory and management duties. However, some professionals and contractors allegedly abandoned their responsibilities, rendering regulation and management "nominal."
The report also identified shortcomings and failures in government regulatory departments, including the Independent Vetting Unit under the Housing Bureau, the Buildings Department, the Fire Services Department, and the Labour Department.
Regarding building maintenance, the report pointed out that because large sums of money were involved, it easily became a target for triads and criminals seeking illegal profits, forming interest alliances using threats, fraud, and corruption to engage in bid-rigging and monopolisation.
Lee said the committee made 120 recommendations to address these issues and related legal regulations, aiming to improve the current system, enhance government regulatory functions, and strengthen legal controls.