Two property owners fined over $230,000 for not complying with statutory orders
Two property owners were convicted and fined over $230,000 at the Tuen Mun Magistrates' Courts last month for failing to comply with statutory orders issued under the Buildings Ordinance (BO) (Cap. 123).
The first case involved the alteration of nine units into mini-storages in an industrial building on Hi Yip Street, Yuen Long. As the alteration and addition works were carried out without prior approval and consent from the Buildings Department (BD), and they obstructed the means of escape and means of access for fire fighting and rescue and affected the fire resisting construction of the building, contravening the Building (Planning) Regulations and the Building (Construction) Regulation, as well as rendering the building to become dangerous, a removal order and a repair order were served on the owner under section 24(1) and section 26 of the BO.
Failing to comply with the removal order and the repair order, the owner was prosecuted by the BD and were fined $151,650 in total, of which $34,650 was the fine for the number of days that the offences continued, upon conviction at the Tuen Mun Magistrates' Courts on February 28.
The second case involved an unauthorised structure with an area of about 70 square metres on the flat roof of a residential building on Hop Yick Road, Yuen Long. As the unauthorised building works (UBWs) were carried out without prior approval and consent from the BD, a removal order was served on the owner under section 24(1) of the BO.
Failing to comply with the removal order, the owner was prosecuted by the BD in 2023 and was fined $13,200 upon conviction by the court. As the owner persisted in not complying with the removal order, the BD instigated prosecution again this year. The owner was subsequently fined $86,680, of which $26,680 was the fine for the number of days that the offence continued, upon conviction at the Tuen Mun Magistrates' Courts on February 28.
A spokesman for the BD said today (March 21), "UBWs, including unauthorised alterations causing obstruction to the means of escape and means of access for fire fighting and rescue, or affecting the fire resisting construction of a building, may lead to serious consequences. The owners concerned must comply with the statutory orders issued by the BD without delay. The BD will continue to take enforcement action against owners who fail to comply with statutory orders, including instigation of prosecution, to ensure building safety."
Failure to comply with a removal order without reasonable excuse is a serious offence under the BO. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $200,000 and one year's imprisonment, and a further fine of $20,000 for each day that the offence continues. Moreover, failure to comply with a repair order without reasonable excuse is also a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of level 5 ($50,000 at present) and one year's imprisonment, and a further fine of $5,000 for each day that the offence continues.
Third cohort of Strive and Rise Programme launched
The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, held a gathering at Victoria House today (March 22) with the third-term Partners' Board under the Strive and Rise Programme and some 200 guests who have been actively involved in the Programme, sharing the Programme's fruitful achievements since its implementation.
Speaking at the gathering, Mr Chan remarked that, thanks to the close tripartite collaboration among the Government, the business sector, and the community, the Programme has steadily advanced into the third cohort. To date, the cumulative number of mentees exceeds 10 000. He expressed gratitude to the Programme's Partners' Board, star mentors, supporting organisations, and mentors for their selfless dedication to helping the mentees unleash their potential and set goals for the future.
Mr Chan mentioned that 4 000 mentees had been admitted to the third cohort of the Programme and that the matching of mentors and mentees had been completed. Mentees, their parents, and mentors have been attending orientation sessions and training courses since January this year. About 380 enterprises and organisations offered enthusiastic support to the third cohort, including nominating a sufficient number of mentors, raising about $18.6 million in donation and providing a wide range of group activities, study tours, diversified learning opportunities, and internship programmes.
Mr Chan also said that, in addition to continuing the enhanced measures adopted for the second cohort of the Programme, the third cohort of the Programme focuses on strengthening the support for mentors and further encouraging youth leaders of the Strive and Rise Alumni Club to organise more activities for self-development, maintaining the Programme's spirit and sustaining its effectiveness. A newly-developed mobile application for the Programme has also been launched to facilitate mentor-mentee communication, featuring functions such as signing up for group activities, arranging meetings, and submitting mentees' personal development plans.
With the launch of the third cohort of the Programme, the third-term Partners' Board has also been officially established. Membership includes the Chief Secretary for Administration as Chairperson and comprises members who are representatives from relevant government departments and strategic partners who provide continuous key support for the Programme (see the list in the Annex). Regular meetings will be held for the Government to report on the Programme's progress and to tap into the collective wisdom of the members to enhance the Programme.
Furthermore, outstanding leaders from various professions continue to be star mentors for the third cohort of the Programme, and 20 new star mentors have also joined the line-up. They will share their experiences and insights in their respective areas of expertise with the mentees (see the list on the designated website: www.striveandrise.gov.hk/en).
Participants in the gathering shared their experiences and gains from the Programme. Mentors said that with the resources allocated by the business sector, various innovative activities were organised to enrich the mentees' learning profiles and broaden their exposures. In addition, mentors shared how to effectively support their mentees, especially those who are shy or have special educational needs, in building trusting relationships and guiding them to develop a positive outlook on life.
Mr Chan emphasised that joint efforts of all sectors are pivotal for driving societal progress. He said that through the powerful synergy of the Government, the business sector, and the community, the Programme will continue to help uplift more underprivileged youths by broadening their horizons, reinforcing self-confidence, and developing a positive outlook on life.
Third cohort of Strive and Rise Programme launched Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Third cohort of Strive and Rise Programme launched Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Third cohort of Strive and Rise Programme launched Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Third cohort of Strive and Rise Programme launched Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
