Press Release
Merger of Environment Branch with Environmental Protection Department
To improve service delivery and bring about efficiency gains in the area of environmental protection, the Environment Branch (EB) of the Environment, Transport and Works Bureau merged with the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (April 1).
The Permanent Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works (Environment), Mr Kwok Ka-keung, has taken up the duties of the Director of Environmental Protection in addition to his original job.
Speaking to the media today after meeting his top directorate aides in the new department, Mr Kwok said : "The merger will achieve synergy between policy formulation and implementation.
"It is in line with the Government's commitment to streamlining and de-layering the decision-making process.
"It will create an organisation that is able to integrate professional and public policy aspects of policy formulation at the earliest possible stage.
"The new organisation will be more nimble in responding to new environmental challenges," he added.
The merged entity will retain the corporate title of the Environmental Protection Department.
"It will remain the statutory authority responsible for the independent administration of environmental protection laws in the territory," said Mr Kwok. "As in the past, it will continue to enforce these laws without fear or favour."
"The new Environmental Protection Department will strengthen its communication with the public," said Mr Kwok. "We would work towards building a strong partnership with the community in making a collective effort to improve the environment."
The new EPD has also given a facelift to its web page at http://www.epd.gov.hk. Members of the public are able to access detailed information on air and water quality, apply for licences and permits on line and access records of meetings of relevant boards and committees. They may also dial the hotline 2838 3111 to lodge complaints about environmental nuisance.
End/Friday, April 1, 2005
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