The Government has sounded a warning that it is serious about enforcement of the national building codes. The newly-appointed board of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) is expected to fulfill this mandate.
Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan was quoted by the Government Information Agency (GINA) in a recent interview as saying that one area of responsibility of the CH&PA has to do with planning and enforcement of building codes. “I spoke of the necessity of the CH&PA to work in partnership with local councils and other stakeholder agencies to be able to bring back enforcement of building codes and building regulations,” he explained.
There is sufficient existing legislation in relation to codes, but what has been lacking or missing is the enforcement, the minister said.
The government said it is doing its part to ensure that the houses and structures in its new housing schemes are constructed to stipulated building codes’ standards.
The National Building Codes are geared to maintain, enhance and improve the safety, and health of persons occupying the buildings, including adequate provisions for persons with disabilities.
The CH&PA’s Board through its secretary, performs the duty of enforcement of planning and building control, and in this regard, violations are dealt with through a process initiated either through the direct issuing of an infringement notice to the errant developer, or through the conduct of corrective dialogue with the developer.
If there is non-compliance with the requirement of notice, legal proceedings are initiated by the central authority through its authorised Attorney at Law or through the office of the Attorney General.
