First staff move into Tamar HQ, but it's far from done and dusted

About 120 civil servants, some in face masks, were the first tenants to move into the new government headquarters in Admiralty yesterday in a swirl of sand and dust.

Officials from the commerce, industry and tourism branch of the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau took over two floors of the west wing of the complex on the site of the HMS Tamar British naval base, amid concerns about construction delays.

Andrew Wong Ho-yuen, Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, assured the public that his team's new offices, still surrounded by construction work the day before, were safe.

'The interior decoration was completed about a week ago. We tested the computer and telecommunication systems. Everything's been working smoothly,' Wong said.

'It's new premises, more modern and spacious than before. I'm sure colleagues will need a little bit of time to adjust to the new environment, but we're pleased to be the first unit to move in.'

A visit to the Tamar site by the South China Morning Post found hoardings at the main entrance and tape on windows, with welding and construction work going on less than 50 metres from the new tower.

Access to the complex is an issue. The most direct route via footbridges from the Admiralty Centre to the new building was still being decorated. A longer route from Admiralty MTR station - via another footbridge leading to the waterfront with an exit to the new office - takes 10 minutes.