The Nationalist Party today suggested the drawing up of a register of contractors operating in Malta in a bid to exercise more control in the building industry.  

Constructors and developers have come under fire after three buildings situated adjacent to construction sites collapsed within a space of two months, promoting the government to suspend excavation and demolition work while proposing amendment regulating the industry.

A consultation exercise was launched with the government set to present the amendments to the law before Parliament rises for the summer recess.

The amendments to the laws, the PN said in a statement today, should list the necessary criteria and certification required for contractors to form part of the register.

It should also clearly specify the type of service a contractor is able to offer and their competences, the PN said.

The PN said that a five-day consultation period was too short given the magnitude of the changes that are needed and which should be discussed at length so as to avoid any loopholes. The PN said that while it understood the urgency of the matter, more time was necessary for a holistic solution to be found.

There are many laws that govern the construction industry, the PN said, insisting that the proposed rules published earlier this week focused on just one of these laws.

“While one appreciates that the subject of this law is important, one must also note that there are various other laws that are relevant and that have a direct relationship,” the PN said.  

It emphasised the need to ensure that the definition of different roles identified in proposed regulations are in conformity with the country’s laws.  

Among the problems with the current system identified by the PN was a lack of enforcement on construction sites.

Various meetings with residents and stakeholders had showed abuses were common because there was a lack of enforcement. Without proper and timely enforcement the law is ineffective, the PN said.

The PN also called for training to be provided to workers employed in the industry in order to ensure the highest possible standards.   

On the issue of who the designated site manager should be, which the draft rules suggesting it should be the architect, or any other person certified by the architect, the PN said this made it unclear what would happen in instances in cases where there is a difference of opinion between the project architect and the architect managing the site.

It said that the criteria regarding who could be a site manager should be broadened to address issues of supply and demand in the present market.

The PN said it was positive 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.