The Government was confident that the Taipa section of the Light Rapid Transit (LRT) system would commence operation in 2019, said the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On.
Mr Chui told reporters on Sunday (4 March) that the Government had decided to appeal against a decision – which the Government nonetheless respected – from the Court of Second Instance. The Court revoked a Government decision to grant the contract for construction of the superstructure of a LRT depot to a particular company.
The appeal process was expected to take some time. Meanwhile the Government was dedicated to pressing ahead with construction of the Taipa section of the LRT.
Mr Chui made the comment to the media on Sunday before leaving for a four-day visit to Beijing. His visit will include attendance at the opening today of the first session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC).
In other comments, Mr Chui said he noted the city’s property market had remained stable since the Government recently introduced new property-purchase rules, which covered additional stamp duty tax for buyers who were already in possession of one or more residential properties; and new mortgage-lending conditions permitted for young Macao residents who are also first-time buyers.
Looking ahead, the Government would strive to increase housing supply via several routes: 1) building extra public housing; and 2) expediting the process for approving housing construction applications from the private sector.
Mr Chui added that the Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Mr Raimundo do Rosário, had stepped up Government efforts to ensure that any undeveloped plots subject to a land concession from the Government would revert to the Government if leaseholders failed to develop such a concession according to the timetable and terms attached to it.
The Government hoped to see any necessary reversions expedited – after conclusion of any judicial procedures – in order to increase land supply and hence potentially the city’s housing supply.
The Chief Executive reiterated the Government only ever launched measures for management of the residential property market for reasons of public interest, and provided they were in line with the law. The Government would maintain close monitoring of the situation and implementation of the new rules, in order to ensure the effectiveness of those property management measures, Mr Chui added.
When asked about issues relating to several plots in Nam Van district where the respective 25-year land concessions had already expired, Mr Chui stressed the Government as always adhered to Macao's Land Law when handling land concession issues.