The Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Mr Raimundo do Rosário, attaches great importance to a report by the Commission Against Corruption (CCAC) – particularly its findings and suggestions – regarding undeveloped plots of land.

It is according to a statement issued on Monday (28 December) by the Office of the Secretary for Transport and Public Works.

Prior to the release of the CCAC’s report, the Secretary had already directed the Land, Public Works and Transport Bureau to initiate procedures for reversion to the Government of land previously classified as “idle plots”; i.e., where holders of Government land concessions had failed to develop them according to the timetable and terms stated.

The Secretary also had instructed the Bureau to study carefully land concessions that were about to expire, to check their development status.

The Government has been handling the issue of “idle plots” according to the law and with regard to the city’s interests, as land resources are limited and important to Macao, noted the statement.

The CCAC released on December 24 details of its investigation into Government decisions regarding 16 plots of undeveloped land where reversion to Government control had not been ordered. The investigation had been requested by the Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On.

The CCAC report concluded it was within the Government’s legal powers not to declare such land forfeit. The report also made suggestions on ways to improve the work of the Government in order to protect the public interest.