On Monday, Public Works and Planning Minister Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi inaugurated the Building and Construction Authority’s new offices in Marsa.

Dr Zrinzo Azzopardi stated that in the coming months, the BCA will implement a “strong investment plan” of €1.8 million in the Authority's information system. “BCA employees will have a strong information platform along with a safer environment to work in,” Dr Zrinzo Azzopardi stated.

The construction industry in Malta has been under scrutiny by NGOs, activists and politicians for several years and for multiple reasons. However, with the most recent death of JeanPaul Sofia, the Government was faced with a cry for regularisation and conformity within the industry.

The Minister referred to new set of long-overdue reforms which entail; changes to the licensing of contractors especially those involved in excavation and demolition of buildings. “The reforms also include a refresher course so that construction workers remain up to date to new industry realities.”

Dr Zrinzo Azzopardi also highlighted the collaboration between the Ministry and the University of Malta to create the first compendium of laws to regulate construction, with the aim of consolidating these laws, eventually. He also referred to the work being carried out by the Authority to make buildings more energy-efficient and to update the regulations regarding Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs).

“The main aim of the Authority is for the country to have a more responsible, serious and an improved construction industry,” Dr Zrinzo Azzopardi said.

On the other hand, the CEO of the BCA Jesmond Muscat stated that the three pillars for the authority’s success are: its workers, the environment that they work in and the tools they have at their disposal. “With the new offices we created a work environment, where the employees feel comfortable to work in.”