Infrastructure Minister Ian Borg has revealed that works at construction sites around Malta have already begun after the government introduced new reforms earlier this week, with excavation and demolition work restarting across 318 sites.

All of the sites have been deemed safe according to law

Borg, who was speaking at a press conference outlining the state-of-play in the industry after reform was rushed through following the collapse of a third building in two months, said that there are roughly 2,500 construction sites around the island.

He even revealed that the newly created role of Site Technical Officers may also be extended to civil engineers and not just Periti after the proposed change brought criticism from the industry, architects in particular.

Borg insisted that claims that the industry has been brought to a standstill because of the regulations are untrue, saying that method statements have already been submitted and that more sites will be declared safe in the coming days.

He did concede that there have been a number of doubts since the publication of the legal notice and will set out to publish answers to what changes have taken place.

The minister’s comments come just as the Chamber of Architect said it received reports of architects receiving personal and legal threats in order to sign the declarations of safety, with the chamber also expected to submit proposals for changes to the law in the coming days.

It was also revealed by Planning Parliamentary Secretary Chris Agius that the long-awaited agency that regulates the construction industry will finally be established.

Talks of the authority began last year after numerous complaints regarding the lack of resources at the Building Regulations Office.

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