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The Minister for Public Works and Planning Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi inaugurated the new offices of the Building and Construction Authority, the BCA in Marsa. During his speech, he explained that even though the Authority has been established for a short time, it has already done substantial work and is continuing to build on what has already been done.
Dr. Zrinzo Azzopardi gave an account of the reforms that have taken place or are taking place in the construction sector including the regulations on the licensing obligation of demolition, excavation, and building contractors and the changes in the masons’ license regulations about which the public consultation has just ended. Here he stressed that an important change in this license will be the obligation of refresher courses for builders to update themselves with the realities of today’s industry. The Minister also stated that as a result of the consultation held regarding the masons’ license, the Government will be broadening the discussion with the aim of strengthening the regulatory framework regarding the management of construction sites.
Minister Zrinzo Azzopardi also mentioned the work between the Ministry for Public Works and Planning and the University of Malta to make the first compendium of the laws that regulate construction so that they can eventually consolidate the laws. He also referred to the work being done by the Authority to make the building more efficient in the use of energy and to update the regulations on Energy Performance Certificates known as EPCs.
Minister Zrinzo Azzopardi stressed that the investment BCA is making is not only being made through the building that was inaugurated today but also mentioned how in the coming months a strong investment plan will be carried out in the system of the Authority’s IT with an expenditure of approximately €1.8 million. “The employees of the Building and Construction Authority will have a stronger IT platform and a healthier environment in which to work”, reiterated Dr. Zrinzo Azzopardi.
In his concluding comments, Minister Zrinzo Azzopardi stressed that the three objectives of all the work of the Authority remain that the country has more responsibility, more seriousness, and above all better quality in the construction sector.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Building and Construction Authority, Mr. Jesmond Muscat mentioned the three important foundations that will lead to the success of the entity he heads. These are the employees, the environment they work in and the tools they work with. He praised the employees for their input and said that the number of workers will continue to increase so that the service will always improve. Mr. Muscat emphasized that “with the new offices we have created a workplace where the worker feels comfortable working”. He also mentioned the importance of the tools that the worker needs to work with and said that in the near future the Authority will have an advanced technology system through which it will be in a position to offer the best service to its customers.
At the end of the ceremony, Minister Zrinzo Azzopardi and Mr. Jesmond Muscat unveiled a commemorative plaque that was blessed by the Vice-Chaplain of the Trinita Parish, Marsa Fr. Joe Libreri. Minister Zrinzo Azzopardi went around the building and met all the employees of the Authority.
Also present for the inauguration was the Permanent Secretary within the Ministry for Public Works and Planning, Mr. Carlos Tabone, the Chairman of the Building and Construction Authority, Mr. Savior Camilleri together with members of the Authority’s Board of Directors.
