The number of construction site inspectors will soon be doubled to 20, Environment and Planning Minister Aaron Farrugia said on Saturday.

Farrugia was addressing a press conference about changes that are being introduced as part of a reform in the construction sector.

The reform was prompted by the March 2020 collapse in Hamrun that claimed the life of Miriam Pace. Four people have been charged over her death. 

Aaron Farrugia said the government will appoint a pool of technical expert to increase the level of scrutiny on construction and excavation method statements.

He also announced that a freephone number will be launched soon to allow residents to file complaints about construction works.

Also addressing the press conference, the Parliamentary Secretary responsible for the construction sector, Chris Agius, said that the government will soon introduce an online register for licensed builders.

Aaron Farrugia appealed to the Opposition to participate in the national debate on the reforms and to nominate a member on the board of the Building and Construction Authority, which will oversee the sector.

Farrugia was also asked about the Malta Developers Association’s proposal to have one of its members appointed to the BCA board.

The proposal was endorsed by the PN, which said that both MDA and the Kamra tal-Periti should have a representative on the board.

Farrugia said the government is open to discuss the matter but at present it stands by the proposal put forward in the Bill that is currently being debated in Parliament. The Bill states that the BCA should have three warranted professionals on the board – an architect, a lawyer and an engineer.