INTERVIEW | Aaron Farrugia: Stability and accountability at core of minister’s vision for construction regulator

The Building & Construction Agency (BCA) was set up to create a more holistic approach to regulation and compliance in the building and construction industry. This was a well-needed change due to the rise in the number of construction sites around the Maltese Islands. BusinessToday spoke to Aaron Farrugia, Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Planning, to discover his views and ambitions for this agency

The Ministry’s goal is to put people’s mind at rest, by creating stability and holding those that breach regulations accountable (Photo: Gareth Degiorgo)
The Ministry’s goal is to put people’s mind at rest, by creating stability and holding those that breach regulations accountable (Photo: Gareth Degiorgo)
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What is the role of the BCA?

The agency is responsible for creating and implementing policies with the goal of fostering best practices in the building and construction industry.

It is also tasked with reviewing laws and regulations and to present the minimum standards in the industry.

Such regulations include those that safeguard third-parties, those that aim to foster good environmental practices and to reduce the carbon footprint of buildings, thus making them more energy efficient.

What is your vision for the BCA?

The BCA was set up to create a self-regulating building and construction sector.

The Ministry’s goal is to put people’s mind at rest, by creating stability and holding those that breach regulations accountable.

Furthermore, we also aim to reach carbon neutrality by 2050, as per the Paris Agreement.

This will eventually result in a better overall environment for all; including both the urban and rural environment.

How important do you think the role of the BCA is?

An agency that regulates and overlooks the construction industry has always been very valuable to the country.

This is due to the potential dangers associated with such work and the possibly high negative impact on the public and surrounding areas. The BCA’s regulatory framework starts as soon as a planning permission is granted and applies up until the construction is wholly finished.

This long process may involve various dangers and adverse impacts, and therefore, in my opinion, the agency has a very important role to play in the country.

Now that the Entities for Construction,  Environment and Planning fall under the Ministry’s portfolio, what kind of interaction do you foresee between these entities for the benefit of the common good?

These entities should cooperate between them, by sharing knowledge and information, as well as communicating empirical tools.

The BCA should also be included as a Consultee for certain projects, Construction Method Statements submitted to the Planning Authority and requests for waivers of Building & Construction Regulations.

Which set of regulations do you think need more enforcement? (environment, damage to third parties, etc).

Even though they do not necessarily need more enforcement, the environmental management regulations must always be a top priority for our country.

This is especially due to the nuisance caused to the surrounding environment, through noise and dust pollution, and waste that development creates.

Other sets of regulations are obviously also very important, including those that prevent damage to third-party properties; which foster peace of mind for neighbouring buildings.

What is the remit of the BCA when there is a breach in regulations?

When regulations are breached, the agency may take action by issuing Enforcement Notices, sealing-off sites, imposing fees, initiating criminal proceedings and halting construction work if the site fails to conform to the stipulated regulations.

For instance, in April the BCA sealed off a construction site in Gzira that was not compliant to various regulations.

As happens in such cases; the BCA requested the Executive Police to carry out criminal proceedings against the developer, site manager and Periti in charge of the project.

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