Graft probe reveals substandard slope works
2001-6-12
The ICAC has arrested 10 persons, including three Highways Department (HyD) staff, for alleged involvement in substandard works at two slope reinforcement projects in Kowloon.
The investigation arose from complaints from the public alleging that the main contractor of the projects had used substandard reinforcement bars, commonly known as "soil nails", with the corrupt connivance of HyD staff.
The two HyD projects related to a slope at Ping Ting Road, Wong Tai Sin, and another one at Jat's Incline, Fei Ngo Shan.
Arrested in the ICAC operation codenamed " Palace " yesterday included an Inspector of Works and two Works Supervisors II of HyD, and two former site agents of the main contractor.
A director and three staff of a construction company, which was the subcontractor, and the proprietor of an engineering company, which was further subcontracted one of the slope reinforcement projects, were also arrested.
The main contractor was awarded the contracts for the two projects at a total cost of about $2 million.
According to the contracts, to strengthen the slopes, holes were drilled on the slopes at a specified depth and "soil nails" of specified lengths and diameters were inserted into such holes, which were then filled up with grouting cement.
HyD staff were required to monitor the whole process of slope maintenance works on site, and to make detailed records on their site diaries especially in regard to the depth of the holes and the length of the "soil nails" to ensure the specifications were met.
Before the ICAC investigation commenced, a surprise audit inspection by HyD already revealed substandard works at the slope at Ping Ting Road.
It was found that two "soil nails", which had been placed into drilled holes, measured five metres instead of the designated 10 metres.
Besides, 52 out of the 55 holes had been drilled to a depth of five metres, again only half the required depth.
The main contractor had subsequently carried out remedial works at the slope to the satisfaction of HyD.
It was revealed that the Inspector of Works and one of the Works Supervisors II arrested, who supervised the project for HyD, had not monitored the works on site when the substandard "soil nails" were put into the drilled holes and failed to keep proper r ecords of these holes.
Meanwhile, the ICAC had requested HyD to carry out an inspection at the Fei Ngo Shan project shortly after a complaint was received in March this year.
It was found that one "soil nail" used at the site was only 4.9 metres long instead of nine metres as required.
After the inspection, HyD assessed that the slope involved did not pose an immediate safety hazard.
ICAC inquiries revealed that the three HyD staff arrested had allegedly endorsed the works records that all the "soil nails" used measured to the required length.
HyD had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigations.
All the arrestees will be released on bail later tonight. I nvestigations are continuing to ascertain whether the HyD staff were involved in corruption in conniving at the substandard works.
The investigation arose from complaints from the public alleging that the main contractor of the projects had used substandard reinforcement bars, commonly known as "soil nails", with the corrupt connivance of HyD staff.
The two HyD projects related to a slope at Ping Ting Road, Wong Tai Sin, and another one at Jat's Incline, Fei Ngo Shan.
Arrested in the ICAC operation codenamed " Palace " yesterday included an Inspector of Works and two Works Supervisors II of HyD, and two former site agents of the main contractor.
A director and three staff of a construction company, which was the subcontractor, and the proprietor of an engineering company, which was further subcontracted one of the slope reinforcement projects, were also arrested.
The main contractor was awarded the contracts for the two projects at a total cost of about $2 million.
According to the contracts, to strengthen the slopes, holes were drilled on the slopes at a specified depth and "soil nails" of specified lengths and diameters were inserted into such holes, which were then filled up with grouting cement.
HyD staff were required to monitor the whole process of slope maintenance works on site, and to make detailed records on their site diaries especially in regard to the depth of the holes and the length of the "soil nails" to ensure the specifications were met.
Before the ICAC investigation commenced, a surprise audit inspection by HyD already revealed substandard works at the slope at Ping Ting Road.
It was found that two "soil nails", which had been placed into drilled holes, measured five metres instead of the designated 10 metres.
Besides, 52 out of the 55 holes had been drilled to a depth of five metres, again only half the required depth.
The main contractor had subsequently carried out remedial works at the slope to the satisfaction of HyD.
It was revealed that the Inspector of Works and one of the Works Supervisors II arrested, who supervised the project for HyD, had not monitored the works on site when the substandard "soil nails" were put into the drilled holes and failed to keep proper r ecords of these holes.
Meanwhile, the ICAC had requested HyD to carry out an inspection at the Fei Ngo Shan project shortly after a complaint was received in March this year.
It was found that one "soil nail" used at the site was only 4.9 metres long instead of nine metres as required.
After the inspection, HyD assessed that the slope involved did not pose an immediate safety hazard.
ICAC inquiries revealed that the three HyD staff arrested had allegedly endorsed the works records that all the "soil nails" used measured to the required length.
HyD had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigations.
All the arrestees will be released on bail later tonight. I nvestigations are continuing to ascertain whether the HyD staff were involved in corruption in conniving at the substandard works.