Some construction sites not following safety regulations: Planning Ministry

Ministry of Planning and Infrastructure has said that some construction sites ‘are working against regulations.’

Following the death of a seven-year girl who crushed by a falling cement bag, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih had instructed the ministry "to lead a full inspection on all construction sites, and to take necessary actions against those in violation of the current guidelines."

At a press conference held on Tuesday, state minister at the planning ministry Mohamed Ali said that they have begun inspecting construction sites as instructed by the president, and that some of the sites are working against regulations.

However, he added that they have not found a cause to immediately halt work at any of the sites.

Under the “Health and Safety Inspection 2018,” the ministry is to identify the wrongdoings at construction sites, which is to be attended by its taskforce.

Noting that the purpose of the inspection is to ensure the safety of all citizens, the state minister emphasized that it is not being done to place blame or halt any businesses.

The inspection comes after the death of seven-year-old Rawshan Jian, who was left in critical condition after a falling cement bag crushed her as she was walking on the pavement in the Maafannu ward of the capital Malé City on Sunday morning. The young girl was in Malé on school holidays, with her mother; both her parents are doctors working in Nilandhoo island of Faafu atoll, from Bangladesh.

She passed away on Monday.

Shortly after the incident, the president ordered an “immediate review of safety procedures, and inspection of all construction sites in Malé, so that more stringent measures may be put in place for the safety of workers and the general public.”

The incident has caused a public outcry “years of recklessness and negligence” by construction companies.