Contractors’ botches lead to bans on bidding for Hong Kong public projects

South China Morning PostCenter-RightEN 1 min read 100% complete by Ng Kang-chungJanuary 16, 2026 at 04:49 PM

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Hong Kong contractors involved in construction errors at three light public housing sites in Siu Lam, Tuen Mun, and Chai Wan have been banned from bidding on public projects for up to a year. The Development Bureau imposed the sanctions after a government probe into building problems discovered last September, stemming from an inspection in August 2023. Able Engineering, the firm responsible for overseeing work quality, must pay for repair costs and faces a disciplinary hearing for alleged negligence. The issues involved at least 23 cut screws connecting formwork used for casting concrete core walls at the Siu Lam project. Police may also conduct a criminal investigation into the matter.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Hong Kong Police 50% Tuen Mun 60% Chai Wan 60% Development Bureau 70% Siu Lam ×270% Able Engineering 80% Hong Kong ×290%

Keywords

construction botches 90% public projects 80% bidding ban 80% contractors 70% construction violation 70% negligence 60% criminal investigation 50% disciplinary hearing 50% light public housing 40%