The developers’ lobby is pushing to have the right to appoint one of its own members to a new authority tasked with policing the construction sector, raising conflict of interest concerns.
A Malta Developers’ Association internal document reviewed by
Times of Malta shows that construction lobbyists want three experts representing the various phases of construction on the board of the Building Construction Authority (BCA).
“MDA also feels that one of the board members should be appointed by the MDA, in the same way as that of Malta Enterprise,” the working document reads.
Environmentalist Arnold Cassola slammed the proposal when contacted by
The state’s building agency received two reports of damage from excavation works at the massive Townsquare project in Sliema and has carried out nine inspections on site since work on the project kicked off a year ago.
The information was supplied to
Times of Malta by the Building and Construction Agency (BCA) after neighbouring residents spoke of living in fear because builders working on the project have repeatedly smashed into their property.
According to an agency spokesperson, BCA inspectors have carried out nine inspections on site since the works started in January last year.
Since then, the BCA said, it has received two excavation method statements – documents outlining procedures and safety precautions. One was received in March and another at the end of last month.
A magisterial inquiry into a fatal building collapse is further evidence that developers have spent 20 years literally getting away with murder, an environmental NGO has argued.
Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar said magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit’s inquiry into the Ħamrun collapse that led to Miriam Pace’s death was a crushing indictment of the state of the Maltese construction industry over the past two decades.
It said that two architects facing involuntary homicide charges over Pace s death should be suspended subject to a speedy resolution of the case against them. Both architects continue to practice.
No fewer than 10 structures have collapsed during construction work since 2008, the eNGO said, causing three deaths and many injuries.