KINGSTON (JIS) -- The Ministry of Local Government and Community Development will be reviewing the Building Bill, which is aimed at establishing new provisions for the regulation of the construction sector. This was disclosed by Portfolio Minister, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, during a forum hosted by the Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ) and National Compliance and Regulatory Authority (NCRA), at the BSJ’s offices on Winchester Road in Kingston on Tuesday, May 31. He informed that major stakeholders will be invited to a meeting at the Ministry to review the proposals.
Among the key focus areas, Mr. McKenzie said, are matters related to stakeholder compliance with industry standards and safety.
The Minister emphasised the need for stakeholder commitment to conforming to the industry standards, as “regulations alone won’t make persons compliant.”
“There has to be a commitment from the players in the industry…to do all the things that are required under the law to ensure…safety,” he added.
He said the construction sector is pivotal to the Government’s economic growth and job creation agenda, and it was important to ensure that the industry is not “riddled with problems…that will be deterrents.”
The legislation, which is before the House of Representatives, aims to replace the Kingston and St. Andrew Building Act and Parish Councils Building Act.
It will facilitate the adoption of a National Building Code of Jamaica, to ensure safety in the built environment, enhance amenities and promote sustainable development, among other things.