Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1133773
7 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 23 JUNE 2019 NEWS Construction Regulations YANNICK PACE THE Church's environment commission (KA) has ques- tioned the long-term effec- tiveness of new regulations proposed for the construction sector, given the consultation period. "KA feels that allowing only five days to listen to what the public and stakeholders have to say on how the interests of the common citizen should be better safeguarded, raises questions on the long-term effectiveness of such proposed changes." KA said it felt that more time was necessary for the develop- ment of sound regulations, which effectively address the core issues, "with an allow- ance for stakeholders and all interested parties to reach to the proposed changes". Recent incidents, the KA said, were indicative of cracks appearing in the proverbial bubble. "The experiences of the vic- tims, as reported in the me- dia, has highlighted that the current set-up did not effec- tively protect them from the intransigent attitude of cer- tain developers," the commis- sion said, adding that recent events had finally opened up a Pandora's box and focused national attention on the in- dustry. "Irrespective of all the rheto- ric about how the industry is contributing towards Malta's development, these events have shown its serious social deficit. This deficit is an in- dication of the cracks that are developing in the proverbial bubble, the existence of which has been repeatedly denied by that industry (and its consult- ants)." On whether the industry can realistically regulate it- self, the commission pointed to the "unrelenting and often fatal accidents of construction workers" for an answer. "For far too long, the au- thorities have listened only to contractors and develop- ers and refused to engage with the wider public and other stakeholders including non- governmental organisations in order to study and evaluate the construction industry's ef- fects on people and the envi- ronment in which they live." The authorities and develop- ers, it said, "have become in- terchangeable spokespersons for each other, while the rights and views of other stakehold- ers have been largely ignored". The commission stressed that under the European Con- vention on Human Rights, "it is the right of every individual to live peacefully and to enjoy his or her own property, safe- ly," insisting that contractors, developers and policymak- ers, as well as all professionals working in the industry have to ensure their own safety and of those around them. While expressing solidar- ity with those whose lives had been affected by building col- lapses, the KA called on au- thorities to take proper meas- ures to avoid such situations. "The short-term approach by some developers and con- tractors is, unfortunately, creating heavy consequences on the common citizen," the commission said. "Investors and clients' cost concerns cannot and should not be ad- dressed by lowering quality, leading to undue pressures on players involved in the build- ing process." It said that value, and not cost should be objective. "This goes beyond buildings. The fundamental ethos is the mor- al responsibility of caring for our neighbour." Finally, the commission said it sincerely hoped that the proposed regulations would not be a populist attempt to impress the general public and that something will actu- ally be done. PN submissions The Nationalist Party is call- ing on the government to im- plement a register of all con- struction industry contractors operating on the island. This register, it said, should be organised in a manner that made it clear what was expect- ed of contractors, including the necessary criteria and cer- tification required for them to form part of the register. It should also clearly specify the type of service a contrac- tor is able to offer and their competences, the PN added. Among the problems with the current system identi- fied by the PN was a lack of enforcement on construction sites. It said that various meetings with residents and stakehold- ers had showed that the cur- rent laissez-fair attitude was contributing to more abuses. "Without proper and timely enforcement the law is inef- fective." The PN also called for train- ing to be provided to those working in the industry in or- der to ensure the highest pos- sible standards. Regarding the issue of who the designated site manager should be, which the draft rules say, should be the archi- tect, or any other person cer- tified by the architect, the PN said this made it unclear what would happen in instances where there is a difference of opinion between the project architect and the architect managing the site. It said that the criteria re- garding who could be a site manager should be broadened to address issues of supply and demand in the present mar- ket. The PN said it was posi- tive that the new regulations would require a geotechnical design report and structural appraisal to be carried out, but said it was also important for the Geographical Survey of Malta to be kept updated, given that it must serve as a repository of the country's natural resources, minerals and earth processes. Church, PN file submissions