Works departments receive Martin Barnes Awards in UK, thanks to implementation of New Engineering Contract

The Drainage Services Department on Wednesday (June 22) received the Water Contract of the Year and Contract Innovation of the Year awards from the New Engineering Contract (NEC) Users' Group of the United Kingdom. This is the second consecutive year for the department to be awarded under the same categories. The Highways Department received the Transport Contract of the Year award while other works departments achieved encouraging results with commendations under different award categories.

The Martin Barnes Awards, previously known as the NEC Awards, is an annual recognition given by the NEC Users' Group under the Institution of the Civil Engineers of the United Kingdom to projects and organisations around the world that have showcased excellence in project delivery through collaborative partnering. Over 70 entries from across the world participated this year.

At the awards presentation ceremony held for the awardees in Hong Kong, the Under Secretary for Development, Liu Chun-san, said that the implementation of the NEC has yielded very pleasing results in the public works sector. He also congratulated the works departments on their outstanding achievements.

The Development Bureau piloted the use of the NEC form in public works projects in 2009 and has expanded its application since 2015. As of today, more than 380 NECs for public works have been awarded, amounting to over HK$220 billion.