Patience, please: Director of Immigration Lai Tung-kwok says the Lok Ma Chau expansion project is due for completion in the third quarter and stop-gap measures should help ease crowding until then.

Improving the environment at Hong Kong's boundary control points and providing a speedy immigration clearance service are top priorities, says Director of Immigration Lai Tung-kwok.

Lo Wu, already the busiest control point in the world, witnessed a year-on-year increase of 7% in 2002. On an average day, more than 260,000 people crossed the boundary there. A record number - nearly 360,000 - crossed on October 12, 2002.

Growth at Lok Ma Chau was 'phenomenal,' Mr Lai said. It soared to 16.7 million in 2002, an increase of 32.5% over a year earlier.

He appealled to the public to be patient as the expansion project at Lok Ma Chau progresses, especially after the boundary crossing there opens round-the-clock on Sunday, January 27.

Up to 10 counters will be manned from midnight to 6.30am. Two kiosks for clearing private cars will also open.

"We shall closely monitor the situation there and deploy necessary manpower to cope with the demand," Mr Lai said at the Department's year-end media session.

The expansion project at Lok Ma Chau has been partly completed, he said, noting the number of counters has increased to 33 from 28. By the last quarter of 2003, when the project is completed, there will be 50 counters.

Meanwhile, "as a stop-gap measure," Mr Lai said, they put in place an "Immigration Clearance Contingency Station", converted from two cargo containers. It contains four makeshift counters, which can be deployed during the peak periods to increase Lok Ma Chau's handling capacity by 10%.

At Lo Wu, the Department will add 14 counters to the eastern end of the departure hall. At the arrival hall, 46 side-facing counters are being replaced by 48 front-facing ones.

"A modest increase in counter number aside, the improvement works will yield additional space for queuing and circulation," Mr Lai said.

He added that the department's efforts to increase the supply of conditioned air to the Lo Wu footbridge is also proceeding. It will be completed in phases by February, 2005.