Independent committee starts work as HK moves to liquefy owners' group

HONG KONG – An independent committee formed to investigate the deadly fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, which left at least 161 people dead, formally commenced its work on Friday, convening its first meeting.

The same day, the special administrative region government filed an application to dissolve the owners' corporation management committee of the housing estate and to appoint Chinachem Group subsidiary Hop On Management Company as the administrator, to handle the day-to-day operations of the management committee.

David Lok, chairman of the Independent Committee established by the chief executive on Dec 12, convened the first meeting with members Chan Kin-por and Rex Auyeung on Friday, where they discussed the work priorities and work plan preparations, according to a government notification.

Lok reiterated that the committee will do its utmost in discharging its duties, aiming to complete work within nine months and submit a report to the CE.

The committee's terms of reference have a wide scope with complex and wide-ranging issues to be covered. They include examining the causes and circumstances that led to the blaze and its rapid spread at Wang Fuk Court, construction safety and related issues concerning building maintenance and renovation works, as well as systemic problems related to the tendering process of large-scale building maintenance and renovation works.

The report and recommendations will be disclosed to the public with the exception of information involving judicial proceedings, said Lok.

Meanwhile, speaking about the government's move to dissolve the Wang Fuk Court owners' corporation management committee, Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak Mei-kuen told the media on Friday that the action will only help the owners of the housing complex to handle the various complicated legal procedures with expert assistance.

"And Hop On Management (Company) has already stated that it will serve the Wang Fuk Court residents on a pro bono basis, and that the Nina Wang Charity trustees have agreed to contribute HK$5 million for professional costs or any procurement costs related to the management of Wang Fuk Court."

"So, our action is to help, we try to help the owners of Wang Fuk Court to handle all the very complicated legal procedures and accounting procedures with expert assistance," she added.