The expansion project of the Legislative Council Building exceeded the budget, and the total cost was significantly increased to more than 1.56 billion yuan. An additional allocation of 390 million yuan was required, an increase of 33% over the original allocation. The public works team will meet next Wednesday (25th) to discuss.
Mr. Lo Wai-kwok, a member of the engineering sector and the chairman of the group, explained that the overrun was due to the fact that the bid price was higher than the original estimate during the bidding process, and the related works had not been started.
Lu Weiguo pointed out that the council must continue to operate during the construction period, so the construction can only be vacated on weekends and long holidays. Many constructions have to be carried out in the middle of the night, and the construction at night is quite difficult, just like "demolition in the morning", so the cost is relatively high. high.
He said that although the overspending gap is huge, the building is not enough to use, and it is impossible not to approve the additional funding.
The government admits that the uniqueness of the project has been considered beforehand: the tender price is still high
According to the documents submitted by the government to the Legislative Council, the scope of all works remains unchanged, including the addition of floors on the top floor of the High Block of the Legislative Council Building, the entrance area on the ground floor and the terrace facing Tim Mei Avenue on the first floor, and the services of members and the Legislative Council Secretariat. premises and ancillary facilities, as well as modification, connection and renovation works of new and existing facilities.
The government pointed out that although the Architectural Services Department had considered factors such as the uniqueness of the project and related construction constraints, the tender price was still higher than expected.
The Government believes that the quotations basically reflect the current market conditions, emphasizing that the project involves several major risk factors, including the need to maintain the normal operation of the Council during the construction period, most of the works are only allowed to be carried out at night, the environment of the Legislative Council must be quickly restored every day during the construction period, and the first Phase works are to be completed within 3 years.
Lo Wai-kwok: Members can question but there is no way to deny the money
Lo Wai-kwok explained on the radio program this morning (20th) that the expansion project must ensure the normal operation of the Council during the day, so that the project is of a special nature.
He understands that everyone has doubts about overspending: "On the one hand, members of parliament have to question why there is such a gap between the estimates at the time and the present, but on the other hand, if this is all reality, we may not be able to approve the money."
Lo Weiguo pointed out that the objective fact is that there is not enough space for the parliament, and its operation is extremely unsatisfactory. Many parliamentarians' offices need to be set up in the CITIC Building, and the project must be done, which makes it impossible for the parliament to approve the additional funding.
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