Secretary for the Civil Service Patrick Nip today visited the Housing Department to meet its management and staff of various grades to learn more about their work and matters of concern.

Mr Nip first met Permanent Secretary for Transport & Housing (Housing) and Director of Housing Agnes Wong as well as the directorate staff to receive an update on the department's work relating to public housing matters and the challenges confronting them.

He then toured the Development & Construction Division's Architectural Section, where he learnt more about the planning, design and construction of public housing developments, including the latest projects of Hoi Tat Estate in Sham Shui Po and On Tai Estate in Kwun Tong.

Mr Nip was pleased to know that colleagues are committed to developing sustainable public housing and providing appropriate community facilities to enhance the quality life of residents.

He noted that the department designed and built the Sham Shui Po Leisure & Cultural Building in Hoi Tat Estate and constructed a 145m-long footbridge connecting that estate and Hoi Ying Estate to facilitate the accessibility of the two estates and nearby public housing developments and assist the residents in reaching the Cheung Sha Wan waterfront area.

Mr Nip emphasised that public housing is a livelihood issue of great concern to citizens, adding that civil servants should think from a user's perspective to better serve the public and resolve their problems.

During his visit, the civil service chief was briefed by the Estate Management Division's Geotechnical Engineering Management Unit on how officers utilise technology to enhance their work, including the new Slope Maintenance Management System rolled out early this year.

The system enables officers to retrieve, upload or analyse slope-related data at any time in offices or on-site while carrying out slope maintenance and emergency repair works. It also helps them communicate and share real-time slope-related information with relevant work units to enhance work efficiency.

Mr Nip also exchanged views with staff representatives of various grades on matters of concern before concluding his visit.