Hong Kong protests: government spent more than HK$66 million to repair damaged public facilities
- Authorities have spent HK$8 million to repair pavements, HK$15 million to restore metal railings and HK$1.6 million to replace security cameras
- Repairing 740 sets of traffic lights alone has cost HK$40 million
But repairing 740 sets of traffic lights – that were burnt, smashed and blackened – was the costliest affair, at HK$40 million.
In a reply to pro-establishment lawmaker Gary Chan Hak-kan on Wednesday, the government revealed that some 22,000 square metres worth of bricks were removed from footpaths since June last year.
“The Highways Department has rectified the damage. It has been exploring various options for enhancing the design for footpath paving,” the government said, adding HK$8 million was spent on relevant repairs.
To prevent bricks from being removed, government workers have lately been glueing them down.
But an intense rainstorm last Monday upheaved chunks of bricks in some areas.
Chinese University to spend HK$70 million for repairs after vandalism by radicals
During the protests last year, bricks were removed from pavements and used as obstacles to prevent police from advancing. They were also hurled at officers, while metal railings were used to build roadblocks.
Some pavements that had bricks removed were filled with cement, while plastic chains replaced metal railings temporarily.
The government also spent HK$15 million on restoring about 60 kilometres of metal railings that were taken down and about HK$1.6 million on replacing 177 security cameras vandalised.
Approximately HK$1.7 million was spent on replacing about 1,450 litter and recycling bins across the city.
“To guard against vandalism, relevant government departments have already implemented protective measures for traffic lights at some major junctions, including installing frames on traffic controllers and covering pedestrian traffic lights with protective meshes,” the government said.
Hong Kong protests: police receive HK$235 million in meal and other allowances
In the same reply, authorities also said police had established a “Facebook live cadre” last November to conduct live broadcasts from protest sites.
It said the broadcasts would help officers clarify “false reports”, increase transparency in policing and enhance public trust in the force.
According to a report by the Independent Police Complaints Council, a Chinese University telephone poll has found 73 per cent of 2,008 surveyed to be dissatisfied with police’s performance during the protests.
