Council considers license suspension for construction companies that repeatedly endanger public safety

The Male’ City Council on Wednesday discussed introducing harsher penalties, including suspension of license, targeting construction companies found to have repeatedly engaged in unsafe construction practices that endanger public safety.

The introduction of harsher penalties was proposed by Hussain Furushan, the representative for North Maafannu, during a city council meeting on Wednesday morning.

At the meeting, Furushan said that construction site accidents in Male’ pose serious questions over public safety.

He referred to a recent incident in Male’ in which a motorcyclist had a narrow escape after a bag full of rock fell from the top of a building under construction in Chaandhanee Magu. He also referred to another incident where a construction company engaged in concrete works in Henveiru without the council’s permission damaged vehicles in the area.

Furushan suggested the council should introduce harsher penalties, including suspension of license, targeting repeat offenders and construction sites engaged in dangerous practices.

He added that the council must conduct thorough surveys to ensure remedies are in effect before lifting the suspension.

Speaking at the meeting Mayor Adam Azim said that construction-related violations, including constructing without necessary permits, making unauthorized alterations to buildings, and engaging in unsafe construction practices even with the necessary permits have become prevalent in the capital city.

He said that Furushan’s proposal was an important one to ensure public safety.

Azim suggested forwarding the proposal to the council’s urban and planning committee for review as soon as possible.

Concerns over unsafe construction practices in the congested capital have long been raised by the public. The country has witnessed several dangerous incidents linked to workplace safety lapses, some of which have resulted in the loss of lives.

In December 2018, a nine-year-old girl was killed when a cement sack fell from a construction site, hitting her as she walked with her mother.

Many people are urging authorities to enforce stronger safety protocols to prevent such tragedies.