Two directors of a subcontractor have been arrested and charged by the ICAC for allegedly offering nearly $1 million in bribes in relation to a water works project of the Water Supplies Department (WSD).

Stephen Au Yeung Ching-cheong and Eric Choi Chun-wai, both 58 and directors of Sunshine Traffic Engineering and Contractors Company Limited (STE), face a joint charge of conspiracy to offer advantages to an agent, contrary to Section 9(2)(b) of the Preven tion of Bribery Ordinance and Section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance.

The defendants, who were arrested and charged on Saturday (August 18), will appear in Tuen Mun Magistracy at 9:30 am on Wednesday (August 22) for transfer to the District Court for plea.

STE was subcontracted a project for the replacement and rehabilitation of water works in the New Territories by China National Chemical Engineering Hongkong Limited (CNC).

CNC, the main contractor of the project under a $163 million term maintenance contract awarded by WSD in July 2007, assigned an assistant project manager to oversee and monitor its progress.

The charge alleges that between July 2007 and January 2011, the defendants conspired together with the assistant project manager of CNC for them to offer monthly payments of $30,000 to the latter as rewards for showing or having shown favour to STE in rel ation to the WSD contract.

ICAC enquiries revealed that the sum of the alleged monthly bribe payments was said to amount to $990,000.

WSD and CNC have rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation.

The defendants have been released on ICAC bail, pending their court appearance on Wednesday.