Explosive Expert Fit To Run Tree Office, Says Govt

The government has defended its appointment of an engineer with expertise in transport matters and explosives to head its Tree Management Office, saying it is just a temporary arrangement.

Florence Ko, who's originally from the Civil Engineering and Development Department, took up the post this month, heading an office that was set up to coordinate government departments in managing trees across the city.

Ko's specialities are slope safety and the regulation of transport and use of explosives. But she has no background or qualifications in arboriculture, the management of trees.

She doesn't have a degree in biology, botany, landscape architecture or any related discipline – a requirement specified in an open recruitment for the same position a year ago.

Reacting to a media report on this, Development Secretary Michael Wong insisted that Ko is a good pick, because she is knowledgeable in trees and geo-technical risk management.

The minister said a new head may be recruited later as a review of the office is now underway, following criticism that its function is ineffective. He said the review is to be completed in six to nine months' time.

But tree expert Chiu Siu-wai, who is a retired professor from Chinese University, said the office has already gone through a series of leadership changes recently.

The office was rudderless for one and half years after former head Lawrence Chau resigned in early 2016. Yasmin Chir, who took over the post, resigned after just six months, citing personal reasons.

Chiu said the government should hire professionals from the sector to lead the office. She said there is no point in having the office if its policy-making is hindered by ineffective leadership.