UDP challenges intent of changes to Building Act

Published by BBNTEAM at November 12, 2021

Tags

Posted: Friday, November 12, 2021. 9:46 pm CST.

By Aaron Humes: On the heels of an announcement by Cabinet that the Ministries of the Attorney General and Infrastructure Development and Housing would be working together to produce amendments to the Belize Building Act to adequately monitor and regulate construction and construction activities within Belize, the Opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) has called for proper consultation on the issue.

As we have reported, the Ministry is in charge of the Central Building Authority and Municipal Building Units and will be working on the amendments to the Act as well as to amend Statutory Instrument No. 96 to adjust the schedule of fees and guidelines that govern payment to the regulatory authorities.

But in a statement the UDP says that contrary to its “extensive consultations” during the propagation of the original Act, the announcement carries no indications of any plans to consult widely and worries that “dictatorial tinkering” may undermine the steady growth of the industry it says was occasioned by its handling of the matter.

Second, the party claims that the adjustments proposed to the fee schedule may be an attempt to obtain further revenue, upsetting the balance the original Act created.

The UDP calls on the construction sector and other affected stakeholders to raise their voices and address Belmopan on the issue.

Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Belize ~ We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages. Your content is delivered instantly to thousands of users in Belize and abroad! Contact us at mаrkеtіng@brеаkіngbеlіzеnеwѕ.соm or call us at 501-612-0315.