Probe Report Slams MTR, Leighton For Shoddy Work

A government-appointed commission that investigated construction scandals linked to stations on the MTR’s Shatin-Central Link says the rail operator, and main project contractor, Leighton, have to shoulder much of the responsibility for the substandard work carried out.

The commission's final report on the saga says the two firms had "serious deficiencies" including poor craftsmanship, bad management and lax oversight.

"There were unacceptable incidents of poor workmanship on site compounded by lax supervision and that in a number of respects also, management of the construction endeavour fell below the standards of reasonable competence.”

The report also takes the government to task for failing to fulfill its duty as the supervisor of the project, which with a budget of around HK$90 billion has become the costliest rail project ever in Hong Kong.

The report criticises the Highways Department for failing to find the defects and repeatedly failing to take firm action to ensure that the MTR corrected the problems when they were uncovered.

Announcing the release of the findings, Transport Secretary Frank Chan confirmed earlier reports that the three-member commission of inquiry, led by British judge Michael Hartmann, has concluded that the MTR's Hung Hom Station extension is safe for use, despite the flaws in its construction.

He added that some paragraphs of the report have not been made public at this stage pending possible future prosecutions.

The commission was originally tasked with looking at a diaphragm wall and platform slab construction work, as well as systemic issues at the Hung Hom Station extension and was to present its report by February 26.

But its term was extended after the panel was asked to also look into reports that contractors had failed to hand in key records when building the station's approach tunnels and secondary tracks.

The MTR Corporation apologised to the public on Tuesday and said it respects the commission's conclusions.

Speaking to reporters after the findings were released, the corporations's CEO Jacob Kam said the railway operator has already implemented a lot of the recommendations laid out in the report to strengthen the management of its projects.

“Since two years ago, we have learnt this lesson, and we have actually been improving; we have introduced digitisation in site control, we have enhanced site management, enhanced our project management and quality management," Kam said.

When asked if the MTR would go after Leighton, he responded: "After establishing the contract responsibilities, we will be following up with the relevant contractors in accordance with the contract."

The link, which will eventually run from Tai Wai Station to Admiralty, is not expected to go fully onstream until the first quarter of 2022.

A part of the project – dubbed by the MTR as phase one of its new Tuen Ma Line – has started serving stations at Kai Tak, Diamond Hill, Hin Keng and Tai Wai, where it joins the existing Ma On Shan Line.