The mindset of the local building and construction industry needs to change and upgrade to a modern European mindset and standards which includes geologists, the Malta Chamber of Geologists has said following a report by the Ombudsman's office.

The Commissioner for Environment and Planning within the Office of the Ombudsman had issued his Report which upholds the complaint filed by the Malta Chamber of Geologists against the Building and Construction Authority (BCA).

The Chamber of Geologists said that the BCA had denied the application made by the Chamber to become a member of the Building and Construction Consultative Council (BCCC).

"The BCCC is composed of stakeholders of the building and construction industry and includes contractors, professionals, developers and educational institutions that advise the BCA. The Chamber is a professional organisation representing geologists. Its exclusion by the BCA means that persons who are not geologists are taking decisions regarding geology and its applications when they are not competent to do so. This situation has dangerous consequences to public safety as seen over the past years."

"The Ombudsman clearly confirms that geologists are primary stakeholders within the construction industry and refers to the Jean Paul Sofia Public Inquiry Report which highlights the important role of geologists in the construction industry and public safety. The Ombudsman also rejected the BCA's notion that the Malta Chamber of Geologists should have the status of guest member and recommends that the Chamber is admitted as a full member to the BCCC without delay. The Ombudsman's Report remarks that Minister Jonathan Attard is not bound by the decision of the BCA to exclude geologists, and the law gives him the right to add other entities to form part of the BCCC. It recommends that the Minister admits the Chamber of Geologists to the BCCC within one month and reserves the right to forward the Report to Parliament should the Minister fail to abide by his recommendation."