Conditions at 473 construction sites to be inspected: Malé City Council

Malé City Council’s promised inquest of construction sites in the capital city continues as they announce plans to review conditions at 473 sites, the council has said.

The ongoing program to inspect adherence to safety regulations at sites in Malé was launched at the behest of President Ibrahim Solih, after a deadly accident that killed a 7-year-old girl.

Other institutions involved in the inspection program are the Planning and Infrastructure Ministry, the Maldives Construction Industry, the Architecture Association, and the Maldives Police Service.

Malé City Council member Ahmed Zameer spoke to RaajjeTV on Monday night and said that inspection will be carried out this week, and necessary action will be taken against companies that violate safety guidelines.

Zameer said that while they wish to complete inspection as fast as possible, the council has only three individuals to inspect sites. As a means to expedite the process, the councilors will also be involved.

Zameer further said that given Sunday’s incident, a report on W Construction – the company managing the site – has been forwarded to the police, though he predicts nothing more than a fine as penalty.

“As regulations are now, the most they will face is a fine, whether or not it is further investigated and found culpable for any more wrong doing is another matter, all they face currently is a fine”, Zameer said.

Deputy Director Anwar Ali, of the recently established Planning and Infrastructure Ministry, said that the previous Housing Ministry had failed to complete the safety code as required by the Construction Act. Anwar said that employees have informed him that this was due to a lack of access to adequate professional advice on the matter.