Press
Release
EPD's statement on removal of headquarters
In response to a press report today (June 7) claiming the removal of the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) headquarters to the Revenue Tower as wasting resources, an EPD spokesman said that the move was necessary as part of merger of the Environment Branch (EB) of the Environment, Transport and Works Bureau with the EPD to bring senior management staff scattered in different locations under one roof.
Before the merger on April 1, the staff of the EB were housed at Citibank Tower while the senior directorates of the EPD were scattered in a number of locations such as Southorn Centre, Revenue Tower and Island West Refuse Transfer Station.
"From a management perspective, the new organization cannot function properly if their senior staff have to waste their precious office hours travelling between different offices for internal meetings," he said.
The former headquarters of the EPD at Southorn Centre had a floor area of 1,000 square meters where senior EPD directorate staff were accommodated. After the merger, the number of directorate staff at the headquarters has increased from six to 12, and there is insufficient space at Southorn Centre to accommodate them.
"We need new accommodation for the headquarters with sufficient space to allow the senior management to work together as a team to achieve operational efficiency," he said.
The spokesman said that all accommodation and fitting out at the new headquarters were in strict compliance with the Government guidelines and standards, adding that old furniture and office equipment were relocated from the previous offices to the new headquarters at Revenue Tower.
"There is absolutely no truth in the allegation that we have wasted resources in acquiring new furniture and equipment and created waste in the process," he added.
The former headquarters at Southorn Centre has been turned into a one-stop shop customer services centre which has a high patronage rate.
"The merger of the EB and EPD has been a smooth exercise and well supported by EPD staff. We regret that a legislator had criticised the relocation of the headquarters without first ascertaining the facts," he said.
Ends/Tuesday, June 7, 2005
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