In a news conference on the 2024 Budget and the initiatives of the Ministry for Public Works and Planning, the Minister for Public Works and Planning Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi stated that during the coming year he will the work continues to continue to implement the main reforms that started in the last months, particularly in the field of construction when for the first time the Law on the Licensing of Contractors came into force.
He announced that of the 77 recommendations of the Quintano Report that was made after the tragedy of Miriam Pace, the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) has already implemented or is implementing 70 of them, while the 7 recommendations that remain will start to be implemented. Minister Zrinzo Azzopardi said that the financial allocation for the BCA will be increased by €2.1 million so that the authority can continue to strengthen its operation. He mentioned, among other initiatives, that a strong investment will be made in the BCA’s digital infrastructure to further strengthen the work of the Authority, as well as that the Authority will continue to consolidate its enforcement.
The minister went on to explain that the regulations on the Builder’s License and even other legislation on construction insurance are being finalized so that they come into force. In the coming year, the work will continue to publish the first building code and make the preparations connected with the necessary training to start issuing recognized skill cards.
Regarding the Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA), the Minister explained that this Authority will have an increase in the financial allocation in order to continue to strengthen its operation, including the computer system. He mentioned how this year a new collective agreement was signed for the Authority’s employees which offers better working conditions and aims to attract more new workers to work with OHSA. This while another collective agreement must be concluded for the managerial ranks of the Authority.
The Minister went on to explain that next year the regulations regarding the role of Project Supervisors and other Dutyholders in construction will come into force and the new Bill will be presented in Parliament which will reform the -OHSA. Minister Zrinzo Azzopardi also announced that for the coming year, the Planning Authority will be allocating €1 million for the “Restore Your Home” Scheme which will be able to apply to those who have buildings scheduled as First and Second Degree.
He said that during the next year the work will continue to conclude the Strategic Planning and Development Plan (SPED), where the studies on it by Maltese experts and foreign consultants will soon be closed. The Partial Review of the Local Plan of Gozo will also be finalized so that Hondoq ir Rummien remains in its natural state. A study on Policy for the Inner Harbor Region will also be completed.
New policies of the Planning Authority on aesthetics and streetscapes are also at an advanced stage. Minister Zrinzo Azzopardi also spoke about the main work of the Department of Public Works in the National Park in Ta’ Qali where the work will continue in various areas and the Concert Zone will be completed. The Department will also continue to help the Local Councils in Malta on various projects and will also work with various other entities to solve flooding problems. The Department will also work on Coastal Management projects in order to continue to protect the Maltese coast.
