MID to bring building code bill next year

MID to bring building code bill next year

By Loretta B Manele

The Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) looks forward to bringing the Building Code Bill to parliament next year.

Manasseh Maelanga, MID minister revealed this when speaking at the second and final day of the Sine Die motion on Thursday last week.

He referred to the bill as an important one that is quite thick which they were supposed to bring to the honourable house this year but time did not allow.

Maelanga said the Building Code bill means we will have standard buildings in the country.

He stated that the standards in the bill are those of Australia and New Zealand thus if buildings are to be built in the capital or provinces it will be of those standards.

“So, we will see that our buildings in the capital and provinces are of those standards”

He added that under the bill, they are also looking at having standard materials to be used when constructing buildings.

“If we are to build a four-story building, we will have proper materials that will be tested to make sure they are the right materials”

Maelanga said looking down below from parliament you can see that there are a number of buildings that are quite old.

He noted that there are people from MID like architects and engineers who once the bill is passed will be qualified to go around and check on buildings and if those buildings are not qualified as stated, they will be demolished.