ICAC uncovers alleged sub-standard piling scam at Yuen Long Industrial Estate
2000-5-5
An ICAC investigation revealed that a director of the main contractor of a construction project at the Yuen Long Industrial Estate, a piling sub-contractor and a resident engineer had allegedly conspired to construct shortened driven piles instead of bore d piles as required by the approved building plan.
The $36 million worth project, comprising a two-storey office building, a warehouse and a silo tower, was developed by Eastern Pretech (Hong Kong) Limited (EPHKL).
The investigation stemmed from a complaint alleging that the main contractor had offered bribes to a resident engineer for turning a blind eye to sub-standard piling work at the construction site.
Allied Dragon Engineering Company Limited (ADECL) was the main contractor while the piling work was sub-contracted to Complete Engineering Company (CEC) at a cost of $2 million.
Rich Wing Engineering Transportation Company (Rich Wing) was appointed by the subcontractor to oversee the piling work.
A total of 17 bored piles, each measuring about 40 metres, should have been constructed into the bedrock beneath the 38.6-metre high silo tower.
Enquiries revealed that while driven piles were constructed instead, each of these piles did not reach the bedrock as required by the plan approved by the Buildings Department.
Investigations also revealed that the director of the main contractor had also allegedly used false plate loading test reports to exaggerate the fees involved by about $260,000.
The Buildings Department has offered full assistance to the ICAC in its enquiries.
The trio allegedly involved in the scheme - Yeung Wai-keung, 31, director of ADECL; Wong Yuk-kui, 38, proprietor of CEC; and Yu Tai-chi, 42, director of Geo Con Engineers - were charged by the ICAC with a total of seven charges this morning. Yu was the resident engineer concerned.
It is the first ICAC prosecution related to sub-standard piling at a privately developed site.
Yeung, Wong and Yu jointly faced one count of conspiracy to defraud EPHKL by dishonestly not constructing the pre-bored piles in accordance with the plan approved by the Buildings Department.
They were also alleged to have caused EPHKL to assess, approve and pay for the work that had not been done in accordance with the plan approved by the Buildings department.
Five other charges alleged that Yeung had used false reports on plate loading tests purportedly prepared by MateriaLab Limited to induce Multiple Surveyors Limited to accept them as genuine in connection with his performance of duty as the building consul tant of EPHKL in relation to the project.
The remaining charge alleged Yeung of dishonestly falsifying an invoice of Rich Wing, purporting to show that Rich Wing had provided plant and labour for 13 plate loading tests to ADECL.
The alleged offences took place between February 1 and September 26, 1998.
The three defendants have been released on bail and will appear at 9:30 am in Tuen Mun Court next Monday (May 8).
The $36 million worth project, comprising a two-storey office building, a warehouse and a silo tower, was developed by Eastern Pretech (Hong Kong) Limited (EPHKL).
The investigation stemmed from a complaint alleging that the main contractor had offered bribes to a resident engineer for turning a blind eye to sub-standard piling work at the construction site.
Allied Dragon Engineering Company Limited (ADECL) was the main contractor while the piling work was sub-contracted to Complete Engineering Company (CEC) at a cost of $2 million.
Rich Wing Engineering Transportation Company (Rich Wing) was appointed by the subcontractor to oversee the piling work.
A total of 17 bored piles, each measuring about 40 metres, should have been constructed into the bedrock beneath the 38.6-metre high silo tower.
Enquiries revealed that while driven piles were constructed instead, each of these piles did not reach the bedrock as required by the plan approved by the Buildings Department.
Investigations also revealed that the director of the main contractor had also allegedly used false plate loading test reports to exaggerate the fees involved by about $260,000.
The Buildings Department has offered full assistance to the ICAC in its enquiries.
The trio allegedly involved in the scheme - Yeung Wai-keung, 31, director of ADECL; Wong Yuk-kui, 38, proprietor of CEC; and Yu Tai-chi, 42, director of Geo Con Engineers - were charged by the ICAC with a total of seven charges this morning. Yu was the resident engineer concerned.
It is the first ICAC prosecution related to sub-standard piling at a privately developed site.
Yeung, Wong and Yu jointly faced one count of conspiracy to defraud EPHKL by dishonestly not constructing the pre-bored piles in accordance with the plan approved by the Buildings Department.
They were also alleged to have caused EPHKL to assess, approve and pay for the work that had not been done in accordance with the plan approved by the Buildings department.
Five other charges alleged that Yeung had used false reports on plate loading tests purportedly prepared by MateriaLab Limited to induce Multiple Surveyors Limited to accept them as genuine in connection with his performance of duty as the building consul tant of EPHKL in relation to the project.
The remaining charge alleged Yeung of dishonestly falsifying an invoice of Rich Wing, purporting to show that Rich Wing had provided plant and labour for 13 plate loading tests to ADECL.
The alleged offences took place between February 1 and September 26, 1998.
The three defendants have been released on bail and will appear at 9:30 am in Tuen Mun Court next Monday (May 8).