Although it will be three years since the 921 earthquake -- registering 7.3 on the Richter scale -- rattled the island and claimed more than 2,400 lives, many public reconstruction projects in the disaster area have yet to begin.
According to Kuo Yao-chi (郭瑤琪), newly appointed executive director of the Cabinet's ad-hoc 921 Reconstruction Commission and chairwoman of the Public Construction Commission, as of Aug. 9 in Nantou County alone nine public reconstruction projects have yet to begin.
"One of the reasons behind it is the turnover of village wardens and county commissioners in that area. Also, some county officials cannot decide where to reconstruct the facilities," Kuo told reporters after the closed-door meeting presided over by Premier Yu Shyi-kun to discuss 921 reconstruction projects yesterday afternoon.
The nine projects, totaling NT$800 million, include a swimming pool, a health office, a seniors' recreation center and some regional administration buildings.
Upon learning of the situation at the end of May, Kuo said, Premier Yu Shyi-kun immediately requested the Public Construction Commission take care of the matter.
"We asked the Nantou County Government to set a timetable for each of the projects so it will be easier for us to oversee the reconstruction progress," she said. "We also told them that they are risking having the county reconstruction budgets revoked if they fail to follow the schedule."
The plan seemed to work because two projects -- the county police department building and the Puli police precinct building -- started construction on July 31, bringing the total number down to nine.
In addition to the nine reconstruction projects in Nantou County, Kuo said there are many more in other disaster areas that have not yet started.
"To take care of the problem, the premier requested during today's meeting that related departments find out the cause of the delay and submit possible punishments meted out to those held responsible within one week," Kuo said.
Regarding the discount package offered to those who can't afford to buy public housing in the disaster area, Kuo said the government will still maintain the 30 percent-off discount offer although there have been calls for a 40-percent off.
To understand people's problems first hand, Yu visits the disaster area monthly while Kuo does it every Thursday. Yu's next trip is slated for Monday.
During yesterday's meeting, Yu also took the opportunity to explain the reason behind his appointing Kuo as the 921 Reconstruction Commission's executive director.
"Since urban development and building reconstruction are my expertise, the premier thought it might be a good idea for me to take the position," Kuo said.
RSS