Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica says Fiji’s construction industry has been in shambles for years, with poor regulation and no proper support for building designers and engineers.
Mr Kamikamica said while architects and engineers had boards, these were not operational or functional.
“This has been allowed to continue for too long,” he said, adding that the Government was now working to fix the situation.
He said the new system would not create a monopoly and that everyone who had been involved in building permits should be able to continue.
“We don’t want people to lose out in the process,” the minister added.
He said there were building designers in towns such as Labasa, Rakiraki and Tavua, and that the system must consider them all.
“We don’t want the new system to impact genuine people providing a real service.”
He said local investors were to use Investment Fiji for their projects.
“It’s not just for international investors, it’s for local ones too.”
He said if there were delays in their projects, the company would assist them, instead of letting frustration build.
