The deputy coordinator of the Islands District Community Service Consultative Council, Liu Fengming, yesterday quoted the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) as saying that the latter is still working on the Iec Long Firework Factory site’s revitalisation and expects to partially open it by the end of this year.
Iec Long (益隆) means “beneficial prosperity”.
She made the remarks after the first regular meeting with the Islands District Community Service Consultative Council members this year at the Islands District Public Services Centre in Seac Pai Van yesterday afternoon.
The so-called Islands district comprises Taipa, Cotai and Coloane.
Liu quoted the bureau as saying that asbestos has been removed from the factory building. Moreover, according to the bureau, the water in the preliminary testing area did not contain any harmful substances. Liu also quoted the bureau as saying that it is striving to partially open the site for the public to visit. One of the repaired buildings will be used as an exhibition hall which will display the history of Macau’s once world-famous firework industry.
According to the Taipa Village website, Iec Long Firework Factory, located in Rua de Fernão Mendes Pinto, was established in 1926 and closed for good in 1984. The website says that Iec Long is the best-preserved industrial heritage site in Macau.
Civic leaders highlight use of repossessed land
During yesterday’s meeting, the Islands District Community Service Consultative Council members urged the government to make good use of repossessed land.
Council members Lei Hoi Ha, Cheong Iok Man, Choi Seng Hon and Ng Hong Kei urged the government to make good use of the repossessed plots of land.
According to Lei, the number of care homes for senior citizens is limited. Lei cited data from the Statistics and Census Bureau (DSEC), according to which there were 82,000 senior residents (aged 65 years or older) among Macau’s total population of 682,100 in August last year. Moreover, Lei noted that between 2019 and 2021 the government’s repossession of plots of land in the in Taipa and Coloane totalled 364,376 square metres altogether. Lei suggested that these plots of land could be used to build multi-function elderly care homes.
Both Cheong and Choi said they worried about how the government would use the repossessed land near the Iec Long Firework Factory. The repossession happened last month. Cheong suggested that the government set up a firework factory museum on that plot of land, aside from preserving the Iec Long Firework Factory because of its historical, cultural, and architectural elements.
Choi said that residents living near Iec Long Firework Factory are concerned about how the land will be used by the government. Choi suggested that the government induce visitors to visit the factory site by walking from the direction of Avenida Olímpica so that Taipa Village’s transport pressure wouldn’t be further burdened.
Ng said that a total of 34,800 square metres of repossessed land in Estrada Nordeste da Taipa, Rua da Baia, and Estrada Almirante Magalhães Correia has been left idle since last year. However, Ng pointed out, the population has been increasing in recent years in the nearby areas. Ng suggested that the Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) use some of the land to set up parks and children’s playgrounds. Moreover, in long-term land use planning, Ng urged the government to establish sports facilities, swimming pools, libraries, and shopping centres in the area.
This undated photo shows the front gate of Iec Long Firework Factory in Taipa. Photo: Taipa Village Macau website
