High Rise Worry

Government is taking a proactive approach in ensuring all processes are followed in the construction of the 28-storey WG Friendship Plaza currently being built along McGregor Road in Suva.
WG International Real Estate Co. (Fiji) Limited, the company behind the construction of the building, has been issued a stop work order notice.
Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum has written to the Minister for Local Government, Housing, Environment, Infrastructure and Transport Parveen Bala, highlighting concerns raised by two Fijian engineers.
The letter dated May 30th highlighted concerns that local engineers raised, which has since led to investigations being conducted at the work site.
The concerns raised include:
“The structural steel frames are corroding significantly in some areas with no sign of any adequate corrosion protection and despite the structural steel frames not being fire rated, exterior and frame cladding work is (was) underway on the construction site.
“Undertaking the fire rating later will mean that only the exposed surfaces will be fire protected and the covered areas will not. This is highly irregular and would be disastrous in the event of a fire.”
Mr Sayed-Khaiyum asked that the minister to instruct the Suva City Council to carry out an inspection of the building construction immediately and issue a stop work notice to the developer if the construction was indeed in breach of relevant standards and approvals.
“The fact that the council has not already attended to this suggests either complacency or corruption,” he said.
“Suffice to say it is in the best interest of Government to ensure that all developments comply fully with the Fijian Building Code.
“Furthermore, we must ensure that all developers are treated alike and are subject to the same rules and procedures.
“To not do the above will create a fundamental lack of confidence in the market and ultimately undermine the economy.”
Government has also set up an independent panel of three engineers to review the entire construction.
Meanwhile, WG International spokesperson William Wu earlier confirmed that a stop order notice was issued, however he said the problem was solved.
He said they have the certificates for qualified materials and their lawyer had advised them that there was no power to stop their work as there was no evidence on the claims of substandard materials used.
When contacted yesterday, Mr Wu asked for more time before the company could respond.
Edited by Percy Kean
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