REGULATORS reviewing Fiji’s national building code should ensure that building standards aren’t compromised for the sake of making it affordable and easier for the construction industry, says Local Government committee chair Peni Gavidi.
Speaking at a workshop on the national building code review at the Novotel Suva Lami Bay yesterday, he said quality and viable building standards should be put in place for the sake of people owning residential properties.
“We cannot compromise building standards and we need one that can withstand natural disasters. As you all know that most people in Fiji will invest in houses for the sake of their family. The same house is then passed down from one generation to another, we need building standards to ensure that homes can last for a lifetime.
“Now the value of residential properties is increasing every year so this can be a reason why people invest so much in residential properties,” he said.
Mr Gavidi said there was an urgent need to review the outdated national building code that was established in 1990.
Construction industry council secretary Stephen Hallacy said building standards should be one of the most important features of reviewing the national building code.
He also said the institution which handled the national building code should be independent.
