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The Maltese architecture community is furious at new bureaucratic measures introduced by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA), prompting the Institute of Architects to instruct its members to boycott them.
A directive issued by the Chamber of Architects this week condemned the Building and Construction Authority for unilaterally introducing two new forms without consulting the chamber, in clear breach of previous commitments made by the government.
The forms require architects and contractors to notify the BCA of third-party property affected by development or excavation works and declare insurance coverage for ongoing works.
Kamra tal-Periti Chairman Andre Pizzuto criticized the lack of consultation, stressing that the implementation of the new form was beyond the BCA’s legal authority. Therefore, the directive advises all professionals not to submit these forms.
Pizzuto lambasted the forms as “an incompetent knee-jerk reaction to (Sofia’s) public inquiry,” arguing that they did not enhance safety practices but merely added unnecessary bureaucracy. He advocates making insurance compulsory for all contractors and streamlining the process by requiring a single policy covering all their work.
Former KTP president Christopher Mintoff echoed Pizzuto’s sentiments on social media, denouncing the increase in bureaucracy as a distraction from true site safety and construction quality.
In response, the BCA defended the measures, claiming they would enhance third-party protection and simplify the insurance process. However, the chamber criticized the BCA’s announcement, saying it was “unexpected” due to a lack of dialogue and consultation.
The chamber reiterated that it was unlawful for the BCA to impose the new forms without consultation and instructed its members not to submit them. It urged members to await further communication from the council.
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