OPENING ADDRESS BY DR TEO HO PIN,

MAYOR OF NORTH WEST CDC DISTRICT,

MP FOR HOLLAND-BUKIT PANJANG GRC AND

PRESIDENT OF BEMA FOR THE SEMINAR ON

“LIFT MAINTENANCE & YOU” AT THE PAN PACIFIC HOTEL ON 31^ST AUGUST 2002

Good Morning

Mr Pillai, President of Singapore Lift & Escalator Contractors and Manufacturers Association (SLECMA),

Members of SLECMA and BEMA,

Ladies & Gentlemen,

I am pleased to be here today for the opening of the seminar on “Lift Maintenance and You”. The timeliness of this seminar is commendable. In the Concept Plan 2001 announced earlier, one of its seven key thrusts focuses on high-rise city living – a room with a view. With the vision to provide 1.8 million homes for 5.5 million people over the next 40 to 50 years, high-density housing rising to 30 storeys and above would be the future in urban living. Lifts, especially high-speed units, will become a basic necessity. The maintenance of lifts in these buildings therefore takes on a more crucial role than ever: we should aim to explore more innovative means of preventive care and maintenance of lifts to enhance the quality of life of its users.

This morning, I would like to thank the Singapore Lift and Escalator Contractors and Manufacturers Association for inviting me to this special occasion. I understand that there are currently 11 members in the Association which maintain about 36,000 lifts, escalators and moving walks in Singapore, and of which I am proud to say that the performance of these lifts is comparable or to those in technologically advanced countries like Japan, US or the UK. I am confident that with the co-operation among the owner or MCST, the managing agent and the Lift Company, we can improve on lift performance even further for the benefit of the users. It is from my experience in managing the lifts in the HDB estates under the Town Council, that constant monitoring of lift performance by the managing agent with regular feedback and dialogues with the lift companies greatly improves the service performance of lifts.

I believe that most of you are involved in the management of condominiums and other high rise buildings and at times would need to advise owners or the MCST and users on ways to further improve lift service. For members of BEMA who are present in the audience and who perform the role of property and facility managers, this is especially true. Having timely updates on the latest technology and maintenance practice in today’s situation is indeed crucial either for the provision of accurate information or in the decision making process.

It is encouraging to note that the Association is taking a proactive step in educating the general public, the owners or MCST and building managers. Despite all our good efforts, mechanical and electronic equipment may fail even in the best maintained condition. Although through regular servicing and careful monitering would greatly reduce the occurrence of the majority of mechanical or electrical faults failures, a considerable percentage of failures are actually due to vandalism and misuse. It is thus important for the building managers and the lift companies to respond by educating the users to minimize lift breakdowns. In conclusion, I hope this seminar will serve to provide to trade specialists a better insight into the intricacy of lift maintenance and its impact.

On this note, I now declare the seminar on “Lift Maintenance and You” open. I wish you all a fruitful sharing of knowledge.

Thank you.