Source: Hong Kong Information Services
The Government plans to allow Wang Fuk Court residents to return to their homes to retrieve personal belongings as early as April.
Speaking ahead of today’s Executive Council meeting, Chief Executive John Lee said that he understands the residents’ wishes to visit their homes and check on their properties.
Mr Lee said: “I also know that there will be strong demand for the residents to go back to look at their homes. We are working on this. We want to ensure that this can be done early.”
He noted that due to the poor condition of the units following the fire, the Government must ensure a safe and comprehensive plan is in place before residents can return.
“Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Cheuk is working hard on the plan to ensure that it will be done safely and orderly because a lot of units, having been burnt very seriously, have structural problems, including in the areas of ceilings, walls and beams. Some units have no windows or doors and the floor is full of debris,” he said.
“There is no lift, no electricity and no water supply. So, it is a very difficult scene and we have to ensure that it will be done properly.”
“We hope to be able to announce our plan this month so that, in April, the residents of Wang Fuk Court can go back to their homes to take back their belongings,” he added.
Mr Lee also mentioned a long-term accommodation plan for the residents.
“We have already rolled out a plan about long-term accommodation. And we have a team of over a hundred of people to talk to the different families to explain and let them choose their options. We will give them sufficient time. So far, they have been working for over two weeks. The feedback, in some way, aligned with our expectations,” he said.