Contractors Call For Regulatory Body

The Association of Building & Civil Engineering Contractors of Ghana (ABCECG) says getting an effective regulator in place soon is the ultimate approach to stemming the collapse of buildings in the country.

“We want to use this opportunity to urge government to see the unfortunate collapse of the Melcom building as a wake-up call for a holistic approach to issues of regulations and standards.

“There are many other tragedies waiting to occur and it is only when we address the lapses that we would avert them, it told CITY & BUSINESS GUIDE.

It stated that such a body should see to the growth and development of the industry and undertake the regulation, promotion and development of the construction industry, formulate and implement regulations and policies aimed at creating an enabling environment for the efficient operation and ultimately the growth of the construction industry.

Other functions of the proposed regulatory body shall include registering local and foreign contractors in the construction industry, regulating the activities and conduct of all contractors in the construction industry as well as other stakeholders, setting criteria for registration of contractors in different classes and reviewing these criteria from time to time.

It will also verify and ensure that all construction works are undertaken by registered contractors to comply with governing regulations and laws of the country.

Also the regulatory body is to monitor projects, develop skills and capacity of local contractors and promote standardization of procurement procedures, codes of conduct, contractual procedures and best practices for contractors, consultants and other stakeholders in the construction industry.

During a two-day ABCECG conference themed: “Sanitizing and developing the construction industry; the role of a regulator,” speakers and participants observed that the construction industry is very crucial to the economy of the country and that Public Private Partnership (PPP) was key to the delivery of infrastructure.

The Ghana Armed Forces reported that the recent Achimota Melcom Mall incident, which happened in the early hours of November 7, 2012, claimed 10 lives, with 68 people reportedly rescued with various degree of injuries. Nine staff remain missing or uncounted for.

Other sources put the number of the dead persons at 14, including casualties at the hospital.