Hong Kong officials want to expand oversight  of building maintenance after deadly fire

Key Highlights

• “We will fairly pursue accountability and take disciplinary action based on facts against anyone who should bear responsibility, regardless of whether they are from within or outside the government, or whether they are junior or senior staff,” Lee said.
• To combat bid-rigging, Lee’s administration proposed that the Urban Renewal Authority play a greater role in helping homeowners choose contractors for building maintenance projects.
• Officials planned to set up a preselected list of consultants and contractors based on official background checks and past reviews from homeowners.
• The authority would facilitate homeowners in tendering and bid evaluation more.
• The government also suggested requiring big renovation projects to hire a third-party professional to supervise the work, necessitating the fire department’s approval before shutting down major fire safety installations, and banning smoking on any construction site.