Office of the Ombudsman announced the launch of an investigation to examine the repairs and maintenance arrangements of outdoor facilities under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, after receiving a number of complaints from the public.
The Ombudsman Winnie Chiu Wai-yin said inspections found that many recreational and sports facilities have long-term damages, with the repairs and maintenance not being up to par. And the LCSD's inspection mechanism has failed to discover obvious protracted damage in the facilities.
Their preliminary investigation revealed that the LSCD sent staff once every two weeks to check the facilities under their management area to report on any damaged facilities referred to contractors for follow-up and repair.
But the records provided by the LSCD show that only 30 percent of the 2,000 cases every year from 2016 to 2020 are reported as completed repairs, which usually take about three months or above, with some even requiring half a year.
"The LCSD has a duty to provide safe and quality recreational and sports facilities for the public. Improper repairs and maintenance of such facilities will render them useless to the public and even jeopardize user safety," Chiu said.
She ensured the public that the Office of the Ombudsman will follow through with the inspections and look at the LCSD's arrangements and procedures for the day-to-day examination, repairs and maintenance of the facilities.
Their preliminary investigation revealed that the LSCD sent staff once every two weeks to check the facilities under their management area to report on any damaged facilities referred to contractors for follow-up and repair.
But the records provided by the LSCD show that only 30 percent of the 2,000 cases every year from 2016 to 2020 are reported as completed repairs, which usually take about three months or above, with some even requiring half a year.
"The LCSD has a duty to provide safe and quality recreational and sports facilities for the public. Improper repairs and maintenance of such facilities will render them useless to the public and even jeopardize user safety," Chiu said.
She ensured the public that the Office of the Ombudsman will follow through with the inspections and look at the LCSD's arrangements and procedures for the day-to-day examination, repairs and maintenance of the facilities.