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It's time to name names
By Xinhuanet |
August 29, 2012, Wednesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
SEVERAL days have passed since the dramatic bridge collapse in Harbin. Local government had been tight-lipped over who built the bridge until Monday, when it disclosed the names of the parties at fault at a press conference.
Before this, word had gone viral online that "a Harbin official said the building task force has been disbanded." Government officials had dismissed this account as "unsubstantiated."
Transparency and accountability are key to public facility projects. No hiding or stumbling can be allowed when lives are lost.
It will take time to investigate the cause of the collapse, but it's imperative to update the public on the probe's developments - and reveal the names of the companies involved in the construction.
To do so is to respect the right to know of the distraught families of the victims. It is also a measure of the government's determination to get to the bottom of this accident.
It's also time to learn lessons, punish culpable individuals and plug safety loopholes.
And Harbin officials should follow up their rectifications with a probe into the credibility of the bridge's designers, builders and inspectors.
Was the project awarded through a public bidding process? Were inspections strict enough? Are there similar safety risks lurking in other urban facilities?
The national watchdog of workplace safety has claimed that the Harbin bridge must have been jerry-built; otherwise, it could never have collapsed one year after opening to traffic.
The public is owed a thorough explanation.
Whether Harbin officials will step out of the bunker and address public concerns is a test of their accountability and confidence.
Before this, word had gone viral online that "a Harbin official said the building task force has been disbanded." Government officials had dismissed this account as "unsubstantiated."
Transparency and accountability are key to public facility projects. No hiding or stumbling can be allowed when lives are lost.
It will take time to investigate the cause of the collapse, but it's imperative to update the public on the probe's developments - and reveal the names of the companies involved in the construction.
To do so is to respect the right to know of the distraught families of the victims. It is also a measure of the government's determination to get to the bottom of this accident.
It's also time to learn lessons, punish culpable individuals and plug safety loopholes.
And Harbin officials should follow up their rectifications with a probe into the credibility of the bridge's designers, builders and inspectors.
Was the project awarded through a public bidding process? Were inspections strict enough? Are there similar safety risks lurking in other urban facilities?
The national watchdog of workplace safety has claimed that the Harbin bridge must have been jerry-built; otherwise, it could never have collapsed one year after opening to traffic.
The public is owed a thorough explanation.
Whether Harbin officials will step out of the bunker and address public concerns is a test of their accountability and confidence.
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