Name: Lau Shun Cheong
Fuelling pollution problem
Is Hong Kong really the "Pearl of the Orient"?
The soaring number of people dying of cancer caused by Hong Kong's rotten air
quality is worrying. Taxis, minibuses and diesel vehicles accounted for 98 per
cent of the toxic respiratory suspended particulates (RSP) and the unprecedented
high local roadside air pollution index of 167 in Causeway Bay in 1998.
The government implemented friendlier ultra-low-sulphur diesel oil, after repeated outcries from the public. However, only a small proportion of car-owners go for it, on the grounds that the price of the cleaner fuel is higher than the normal petrol. The government launched another incentive proposal-tax concession of 89 cents a litre. Of this, oil companies pocketed 45 cents as additional profit!
Clearly, the oil firms have benefited from the law. Why are they still comfortably selling the fuel at an unreasonable price? Why does not the government prosecute them for this illegal act?
We are talking about the future of Hong Kong”Šand 16,500 needless deaths every year! The government should set up an ad-hoc committee for a regular surveillance of retail prices set up by the oil companies. It should also encourage competition among them.
HK iSchool 5th January 2001