MTR Caught In New Faulty Construction Row

The MTR is in the firing line again after a report revealed there were problems with the construction of two walls at the Exhibition Centre Station of the upcoming Shatin-Central Link.

An Apple daily report on Wednesday said walls built at the station in 2016 were found to be defective and the contractor was issued with a non-compliance certificate.

Speaking on a radio programme, the MTR's projects director, Philco Wong, confirmed the report, but said the contractor was made to fix the problem that same year.

But the new revelation prompted Civic Party lawmaker Tanya Chan to accuse the government and the rail operator of a cover up.

Chan said when a contractor has to take remedial measures, the Buildings Department has to approve them. "Obviously the government must have learnt about this very important defect. However the government didn't tell the public regarding this very important issue," she said.

The lawmaker alleged that recent reports show the MTR Corporation's monitoring system has completely collapsed.

Excavation at the Exhibition Centre Station was ordered to be stopped by the MTR last week after the contractor in charge failed to put in sufficient supporting steel structures. The government had asked the rail operator for a report about this saga, which the MTR submitted on Tuesday.

Talking about the events, Transport Secretary Frank Chan told reporters that MTR bosses should have done better job in reporting incidents of substandard construction work.

He said all staff have a duty to report incidents to their superiors, and the corporation should report to the government when these issues concern the public interest, the progress of work or financial discrepancies.

He said the government is disappointed that this has not been the case.