Hong Kong’s Legco complex expansion project could be capped at HK$1.56 billion after request for 33 per cent more than estimate, says official

The budget to expand the Legislative Council Complex will be capped at HK$1.56 billion (US$199 million), a senior Hong Kong official has told lawmakers, saying the government is unlikely to ask for more funding for a project that will already cost about HK$400 million more than estimated.

Director of Architectural Services Winnie Ho Wing-yin also promised that her department would learn a lesson from the HK$391.2 million shortfall and make bolder estimates in the future.

After grilling the official for two hours, Legco’s public works subcommittee agreed that the funding request would be passed to the Finance Committee for further discussion next month.

A source said the government expected the committee to vote on it on June 10, so that construction could start in mid-June.

Last September, the Finance Committee approved the government’s request to spend HK$1.17 billion on the project, which could involve prolonged nighttime work, to expand the council complex to make room for 20 new lawmakers.

But legislators were told last week that the project would cost HK$1.56 billion, 33 per cent more than the original government estimate.