Even as the Prime Minister launches a probe into the $26 million Las Alturas housing development, the main contractor in that project—China Jiangsu International Corp (CJIC)—is continuing rapid construction of the Debe law campus. In an interview yesterday, Housing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal defended the government’s decision to hire CJIC, saying the Chinese construction giant and other sub-contractors should not be blamed for shoddy work until the commission of enquiry into Las Alturas is over.
Moonilal could not say whether CJIC was involved in other construction projects but noted that blame should not be put on CJIC, which won the UWI construction contract with a tender of $499,513,631.81. “We cannot ascribe blame to any agency or contractor, the commission of enquiry will decide that. Different entities are responsible for construction, technical planning and geotechnical work. Those who had political responsibility at that time should be blamed,” Moonilal said.
He added, “It will be unfair to blame the main contractor. We can say that the PNM was in office and Dr Keith Rowley was there.” The Las Alturas Development, off the Lady Young Road, Morvant, was constructed between 2008 and 2010 under the PNM but it had to be demolished eight months after completion in September 2010 because the structures were cracking.
But in the absence of evidence, Moonilal said, the Government was very clear that it was the PNM who should be blamed and not the consultancy groups or contractors.
National Building Code
Moonilal said the Government was unable to put a National Building Code in place because of wrangling between the National Building Code Committee and the Bureau of Standards. “We have had enormous problems with the committee over spending and accountability issues and a breakdown between the Bureau of Standards. The chairman of Building Code and bureau officials are always [at odds],” Moonilal said.
“While Cabinet has approved money we had challenges with lots of interpersonal conflict insofar that the Bureau of Standards said they do not want to work with the chairman. That is holding back the work.” He said between the next 14 and 21 days, he intended to take a note to Cabinet to make some changes to the Building Code Committee.
Asked whether there were any codes in place to prevent contractors from engaging in shoddy work, Moonilal said, “We have Town and Country Planning regulations. We are also trying to develop one national building code and once that is done it will be enforced.”
National Building Code
Moonilal said the Government was unable to put a National Building Code in place because of wrangling between the National Building Code Committee and the Bureau of Standards. “We have had enormous problems with the committee over spending and accountability issues and a breakdown between the Bureau of Standards. The chairman of Building Code and bureau officials are always [at odds],” Moonilal said.
“While Cabinet has approved money we had challenges with lots of interpersonal conflict insofar that the Bureau of Standards said they do not want to work with the chairman. That is holding back the work.” He said between the next 14 and 21 days, he intended to take a note to Cabinet to make some changes to the Building Code Committee.
Asked whether there were any codes in place to prevent contractors from engaging in shoddy work, Moonilal said, “We have Town and Country Planning regulations. We are also trying to develop one national building code and once that is done it will be enforced.”