Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1519535
6 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 24 APRIL 2024 NEWS MATTHEW AGIUS magius@mediatoday.com.mt MATTHEW FARRUGIA mfarrugia@mediatoday.com.mt THE CEO of the Building and Construction Authority (BCA), Jesmond Muscat resigned from his post on Tuesday. Public outrage regarding the local construction industry has increased in recent days, follow- ing yet another death of a worker in a construction site on Satur- day. On Monday, Prime Minister Robert Abela fielded questions regarding the construction in- dustry, which is still claiming victims despite a damning pub- lic inquiry report which dug into the lax enforcement and regula- tions governing the sector. On Monday, Abela had acknowl- edged that authorities that reg- ulate the construction industry still do not have the necessary resources needed for such a task. Despite the public inquiry, grievous construction site acci- dents are still not a rare occur- rance. Just last week, MaltaTo- day reported that a number of bricks had fallen off a construc- tion site in St Paul's Bay and landed on the street, narrowly missing a moving car. In Febru- ary, the facade of a building in Paola came crashing down on- to the street during demolition works. The Authority's failures was es- pecially highlighted in the public inquiry following the death of Jean Paul Sofia. During the hearing of the in- quiry, Muscat had testified that after the Kordin construction site collapse that killed Jean Paul Sofia, the authority he chaired did not draft a report on the ac- cident because the BCA did not feel the need to do so. He had told the public inquiry board that the project in ques- tion did not fall under the BCA's remit, as he even noted the lax enforcement surrounding the construction industry. The board expressed disbelief when informed by Muscat that since recruitment opened again in March 2023, only four addition- al inspectors are expected to be added to the staff complement. Ministry reacts In a statement later on Tues- day, the Ministry for Construc- tion Reforms said that minister Jonathan Attard recieved Mus- cat's letter of resignation. The statement said that Attard accepted the resignation and that he looks forward to the ap- pointment of the new CEO, "to further strengthen the Author- ity and continue reforming this sector in compliance with the Government's electoral program and the recommendations of the public inquiry." Muscat was appointed to his post in June 2022. PN statement Following the resignation, the Nationalist Party said that gov- ernment ministers keep evad- ing responsibility while blaming those who've been appointed by the ministers themselves. "Once again we're seeing Rob- ert Abela's government blaming everything on the people that he appointed himself without shouldering any political re- sponsibility for what happened," the PN said referencing Satur- day's fatal incident. The opposition noted that those who are politically respon- sible for the ongoing tragedies cannot be the same people who implement reforms within the construction industry. The PN blasted Robert Abe- la for "consulting with himself" and playing a game of musical chairs without actually reform- ing the sector. The party reiterated its call for government to present a month- ly report to parliament on the implementation of the recom- mendations from the Jean Paul Sofia public inquiry. The statement was signed by shadow minister for lands and planning, Stanley Zammit. Building and Construction Authority CEO Jesmond Muscat resigns from post Despite a damning public inquiry report which dug into the lax enforcement and regulations governing the sector, grievous construction site accidents are still not a rare occurrence Jesmond Muscat (left) seen with construction reform minister Jonathan Attard TWO men have denied arson charges after they were accused of placing a burning tyre against the front door of a house in Tarxien, while its occupants were still inside. Inspector Jeffrey Scicluna arraigned 31-year-old Manuel Abela from Żabbar and 59-year-old Spiridione Costa, who has no fixed abode, before magistrate Monica Vella on Tuesday. The men were charged with arson, criminal damage, breaching the peace and causing a distur- bance during the night time. Abela, who appeared in court with a burn on his nose, was further accused of throwing refuse at the targeted residence and recidivism, while Costa was addition- ally charged with dangerous and reckless driving and living an idle and vagabond lifestyle, as well as recidivism. The prosecution told the court that the front door of the residence was set on fire at around 2am on April 15. CCTV footage showed a person placing a tyre in front of the house, while another person waited in the area. The police identified Spiridione Costa as the owner of a car used in the attack, and further investigations arrived at Manuel Abela being the second person. The men pleaded not guilty. Lawyer In- grid Zammit Young, assisting the defend- ants as legal aid counsel, made a request for bail, which the court did not uphold. No bail for men accused of arson attack on Tarxien residence The men were charged with arson, criminal damage, breaching the peace and causing a disturbance during the night time