HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENT BOARD (Contracts for new flats and Main Upgrading Programmes)

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HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENT BOARD:

(Contracts for new flats and Main Upgrading Programmes): 6.

Dr Teo Ho Pin asked the Minister for National Development (a) how many Housing and Development Board contracts for new flats and Main Upgrading Programmes are in progress; (b) what are the measures taken to ensure that the main contractors are able to complete these projects on time; and (c) what is the contingency plan to minimise inconvenience caused to residents due to the failure of main contractors.

Dr Vivian Balakrishnan (for the Minister for National Development): As at 31st October 2003, there are 24 building projects with 15,000 new flats under construction, and 29 Main Upgrading Programme (MUP) precincts with 30,000 flats where upgrading works are in progress.

The HDB monitors the progress of its building and upgrading projects very closely to ensure that they are running

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smoothly. Special attention is given to those projects which show any sign of delay. The HDB will monitor the progress of these projects on a daily basis to track things like the number of workers, the amount of materials brought on site and the progress of work done. It will also provide all necessary assistance to the contractors to enable them to expedite their work.

Nevertheless, there may be contractors who are unable to keep within the project schedules despite HDB's assistance. For such cases, the HDB will terminate the employment of the defaulting contractor and proceed to engage a new contractor by fast-tracking the tender procedures, in order to complete the outstanding works expeditiously.

To assist affected flat buyers, the HDB will write to them to inform them of the change in the estimated completion date of their flats, so that they can adjust their housing plans accordingly. Those who are in urgent need of accommodation can request to rent a flat from HDB in the interim or to transfer their flat booking to another completed new flat in the same neighbourhood or indeed anywhere else in Singapore.

In cases where the contractor stops work for MUP projects, the HDB will immediately activate a contingency contractor to perform the essential services, housekeeping works and to complete the outstanding works within the flats. This will minimise inconvenience to the residents. The HDB will also brief the MPs and grassroots leaders on the status of the project and on the actions to be taken to minimise inconvenience to the residents. The residents would also be kept informed of the status through circulars.

Where necessary, HDB will also conduct house-to-house visits to the

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affected households to explain and give assurance and assistance to these residents.