#Nassau, October 23, 2019 – Bahamas – The appointment of more inspectors to co-operate with local architects and engineers in the inspection process of the building code is on the drawing board for the Ministry of Public Works.
The Hon. Desmond Bannister, Minister of Public Works, made the
announcement in his contribution to the debate on the Disaster Preparedness and
Response (Amendment Bill) 2019.
“The current edition of the Bahamas Building Code is rigorous
but as with any building code it is subject to continuous review. The code
contemplates protection for a building from winds of up to 150mph. At one time,
it was thought that this was fully adequate. [Hurricane] Dorian, however, had
maximum sustained winds of 185 mph and gusts of up to 220 mph,” said Minister
Bannister.
He told Parliamentarians that one of the other challenges
throughout the country is people often build in areas that, in normal times may
be prone to flooding, and often ignore the inspection process.
“I have seen so many homes in Abaco and in Grand Bahama that did
not meet the requirements of the code either because they were built before the
code was amended or because they were built in contravention of the code.”
Mr. Bannister said the Ministry’s duty is to protect the public
and pledged to be more thorough with inspections and enforcement. The Ministry
will also continue to review the findings from the aftermath of [Hurricane]
Dorian with a view to strengthening various aspects of the code.
By Kathryn Campbell
Release: BIS
Photo Caption: Minister of Public Works, the Hon. Desmond Bannister.
(BIS Photo/Yontalay Bowe)