FIJI Association of Architects General Secretary Setoki Tuiteci has called for stricter regulation and proper accreditation of imported construction materials, particularly steel which is being sourced from various parts of the world.
In an interview with The Fiji Times at the recent Extra Fiji Architecture Conference and Trade Exhibition at the Sheraton Fiji Resort Golf and Spa in Denarau, Nadi, Mr Tuiteci said Fiji was highly dependent on imported steel making quality assurance critical for public safety.
“We looked at accreditation and certification of materials, especially steel which is a big issue in our country because we bring in a lot of steel from different parts of the world,” he said.
“There’s steel coming in from all over the world that gets used here. But it’s the certification and accreditation that really needs to be looked at properly,” he said.
“So proper studies are being done, they’re being reviewed and when it gets to our country and when it’s being used here, it’s safe.”
While acknowledging local testing capabilities at universities, Mr Tuiteci said the industry relied heavily on international certification.
“We have FNU and USP who also have testing facilities but we rely a lot on the testing and accreditation from accredited offshore universities and ones that are reputable.
“So that’s why we need to ensure that those accreditations or those given accreditations as well offshore are also properly regulated or they are good, reliable sources.
“We need to ensure that whatever comes into this country is of standard or above and it’s appropriate for our climate, appropriate for our buildings and the weather that we have.”
