Editorial | Root out irregularities to restore trust in Hong Kong’s construction sector

The revelation has not only fuelled worries over building safety, it has also called into question the oversight of public works by contractors and the authorities. Officials must investigate the matter thoroughly and ensure the output is safe.

The scandal emerged after a routine inspection by the Architectural Services Department in late August found 23 construction bolts had been cut without permission on the fourth and fifth floors of a public housing project undertaken by Able and Chun Wo Joint Venture in Siu Lam. The severity of the matter escalated as investigations into two other sites managed by the contractor unearthed more installation issues.

Of the some 40 per cent of modules examined, about 6 per cent of 4,000 bolts were cut without authorisation, while 20 per cent of 2,000 connection plates – to which the bolts were attached – were enlarged without approval. The government said it remained unclear what prompted the cutting, but it believed the problems were related to on-site work procedures rather than manufacturing issues.

Officials also said the housing blocks showed no signs of leakage or deformation following the recent onslaught of Super Typhoon Ragasa and should therefore be structurally safe. But some units had to be dismantled to find out why they had been improperly assembled, they added.

We trust the authorities are fully aware of the growing concerns over the quality and safety of public works. The department has rightly established an independent investigation into the incident and will report the relevant findings to the Housing Bureau and Development Bureau for follow-up actions. Apart from ascertaining what really went wrong and holding the relevant parties accountable, the government should also proactively monitor the remedial measures put in place by the contractor and minimise any construction delays.