About the building permit

The authorities have decided to replace the old Building Act by the Building Control Act which was long overdue.

It seems that technicians have been left on their own to prepare the draft with no real input from the elected legislators.

As per the proposed Act (Section 8 (b)) all plans submitted for a building permit to be drawn up and signed by an Architect or an Engineer. It looks that instead of putting people first as per Government policy these technicians are putting themselves first.

As per Section 4 subsection 1 (a) the construction works to be followed by an Authorised Officer who is defined by section 3 as being either an architect or an engineer. It means that everybody will have to hire either an architect or an engineer to supervise/oversee the construction works in order to be able to deliver the clearance certificate as asked for by section 4 subsection 1 (a) and (b).

As per section 9 a return to be made by the local Authority to the Professional Architect Council and Professional Engineer Council. It is as if all pharmacies will have to make a return of all prescriptions attended to the Medical Council.

If the Bill is adopted in its present form you will have to agree with us, Mr Editor that it is not the working class but everybody will be deeply penalized.

Thanking you for bringing out the above to the attention of the relevant authorities and your readers at large.

I.C.