We've been deserted by officials, say flat owners
A group of flat owners facing liquidation over an 'unfair' $25 million compensation bill accused the government yesterday of failing to deliver on a promise to sort out their problem by the end of last year.
The 136 owners of units in Albert House, Aberdeen - where the collapse of a fish tank and canopy killed one person and injured eight in 1994 - made a new plea for help ahead of a court ruling today on whether to appoint a liquidator.
Owner Dicky Ng Ah-keung said Secretary for Home Affairs Patrick Ho Chi-ping had promised in November he would help them through 'all possible channels'.
'He said we would have a nice Christmas, but we did not. And I have not seen any assistance from Dr Ho and the government until today,' Mr Ng said.
The owners have paid more than $5 million to victims.
But the Court of First Instance ruled they must pay $25 million to building landlord Aberdeen Winner Investment for legal costs, interest and compensation not paid by owners who went bankrupt after the initial compensation ruling. It ordered that the building owners' association should be liquidated if they did not pay.
The court will rule today on whether to appoint an official liquidator. The owners have called on the court to delay the ruling until they can find a solution.
'I just hope the government will understand our situation,' Mr Ng said. 'It is so unfair. We have already shouldered our responsibilities. We have already paid the compensation. Why should we pay the additional $25 million for those companies which shirk their responsibility, the compensation, by declaring bankruptcy?'
Another flat owner, Lee Hung-ling, urged the court to consider their situation. 'Under the law the court will only rule according to the black-and-white situation. However, the court should also take into account our real-life condition,' she said.
