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Civil aviation chief Norman Lo has come under fire. Lam admitted that the CAD had indeed handled the project inappropriately. Photo: Dickson Lee

Hong Kong aviation officials could face action over unauthorised headquarters work

Carrie Lam warns of possible disciplinary measures for breaches during building project

Disciplinary action may be taken against any officials found to have breached procedures while building the Civil Aviation Department's new headquarters, Chief Secretary Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said yesterday, as she conceded the department had mishandled the project.

Lam's remarks came after the Legislative Council's Public Accounts Committee - tasked with studying Audit Commission reports - in February "deplored" the actions of Norman Lo Shung-man, director general of aviation.

Lo was said to have "deliberately overridden" the Property Vetting Committee and the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau while the headquarters was being built.

Responding to the Public Accounts Committee's report, Lam said even if the headquarters was serving its purpose and had been built within budget, "there were indeed areas not properly handled" during the project.

"We are particularly concerned about the deviations from the government's internal procedures and requirements ... as pointed out in the audit report."

The Transport and Housing Bureau was examining a report by Lo's department, she added. "If any misconduct is found, the government will follow up the case ... in accordance with established procedures, including appropriate administrative or disciplinary action."

The audit report last November said the Civil Aviation Department had received approval for the headquarters with a net operational floor area of 22,775 square metres, of which 3,240 square metres was reserved for future expansion.

But the watchdog found the department had built an unapproved 1,500 square metre area for future use. It also revealed the department had spent HK$67.45 million on security and electronic systems without approval and did not seek permission before building a shower in Lo's office.

The headquarters came into use in December 2012. During a Public Accounts Committee hearing last December, Lo apologised and said he needed to bear "part of the responsibility".

The Civil Aviation Department said yesterday it had been taking measures to "strengthen internal controls over compliance with government regulations and guidelines".

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Officials could face action over aviation HQ
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