In response to media enquiries, a spokesman for the Lands Department clarified that the stoppage of water supply to certain units in Wah Kai Industrial Centre, Tsuen Wan this morning (May 29) was accidental and that supply was resumed around noon.
A radio report said today that some former owners of the industrial centre have complained that the Government tried to make them surrender their units by stopping the supply of water and electricity.
"The Department will only ask the Water Supplies Department to stop water supply after the units are voluntarily handed over to the Government. The stoppage of supply to 23 units today happened accidentally when the technicians were removing the water meters of some taken over units," the spokesman explained.
There is no question of the Government using the stoppage of water or electricity supply to expedite the land resumption process, he stressed.
As for some former owners' accusation that compensation has not be given six months after they have signed the acceptance forms for compensation offered, the spokesman said that compensation will be released as soon as the titles of the units have been ascertained.
To speed up the process, the former owners should hand in the necessary documents as soon as possible, he said.
End/Monday, May 29, 2000
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