A year has passed since the government announced the setting up of this entity and to date, it has not materialised. It seems that the government is colluding with the construction lobby, for reasons known to themselves, Partit Demokratiku said in a statement.
This industry has become the backbone of government’s economic policy. It is fast becoming a pre-determinate of health with an ever rising annual incidence of chronic respiratory disorders, and increased morbidity and mortality due to lack of observance and enforcement of health and safety standards.
Partit Demokratiku noted that the recent accidental collapse of residences at Mellieha and Guardamangia adjacent to building sites are not only eye openers but symptoms of a broken system that needs urgent fixing and immediate ownership.
The construction industry has hijacked our quality of lives, ransacked our environment, and has deconstructed what sets the Maltese Islands apart from neighbouring countries as a destination of excellence, PD said.
Partit Demokratiku said it has analysed the document ‘A modern building and construction regulation framework for Malta’ as proposed by the Chamber of Architects. It is a much welcomed professional study which defines a way forward to regularise this sector. We urge the Government and the Planning Authority to state their opinion, more so since Malta has no Architectural Policy.
The lack of effective monitoring and enforcement – compounded by an unskilled labour force and a lack of master masons – set in a scenario of a building frenzy is having its toll on our communities. PD calls on Government to be socially responsible.