The demolition of 11 shipyards deemed to be at risk of collapse in Coloane are necessary to “maintain public security” and for the “revitalisation” of the Lai Chi Vun area, according to the Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Raimundo Arrais do Rosário.
In statements made following a meeting of the Urban Planning Committee (CPU) yesterday, the Secretary said that Chief Executive Fernando Chui Sai On was “very clear” when he said public safety would come first before the redevelopment of the village starts, with the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) participating in the revitalisation process.
Secretary Rosario refused to comment upon statements by former IC Director Ung Vai Meng that the IC “wasn’t consulted by the DSSOPT” before the demolitions were announced.
At the beginning of the year the Marine and Water Bureau (DSAMA) and DSSOPT announced that 11 of 14 shipyards located in the Lai Chi Vun area would be demolished, with three considered in good enough condition to be preserved and redeveloped by the IC.
On schedule
The Secretary also said that the opening of the Pac On Ferry Terminal was still set for the second quarter of this year with no further delays anticipated. The initial proposed budget of MOP583 million (US$73 million) for the 150,000 square metre terminal has ballooned to an estimated MOP3.9 billion.
Water leaks
The Secretary also said a “long term solution” for flooding issues in the Hennaing tunnel was being developed by DSSOPT, after a burst water pipe led to the shutdown of the four-lane tunnel for 10 hours between February 20 and 21.
When questioned by a reporter on why these issues appeared “in a tunnel that cost MOP2.2 billion” the Secretary responded that such problems appear “only once in a while” and that “at the moment there is no danger” to residents with normal traffic already resumed.
