Construction works to conntinue as restrictions ease
The construction industry council remain hopeful that construction works paused during the pandemic will continue as COVID restrictions ease.
Council president Gordon Jenkins said the construction industry has not changed during the pandemic as it did not operate over the pandemic period and remains as before.
“To rebuild the construction industry (pun) developers and constructors will need to cooperate more and share the problems with the Developers that occur on various sites.
“Construction standards remain as before and they could possibly become more strict.”
Mr Jenkins adds that Fiji’s construction industry has not lost the trust of international investors and proceeded as before the pandemic.
“I think that the pandemic situation in Fiji is better than most therefore the business should go back to normal and quicker than in OtHEr COuNtrIEs AND FOr tHE BENEfit of all stakeholders. The industry has learnt a big lesson in staying in business when work ceases,” he said.
While supply chains of construction material may be impacted by the pandemic, Mr Jenkins said there was a possibility that the supply chain problem will hit Fiji in the future and escalate costs at a GrEAtEr rAtE tHAN NOrMAL INflAtION.
“The net result will be greater building cost and non-availability of some essential imported building materials.
“Whether the stakeholders continue or close is a personal choice but being in the construction industry, which is variable at most times has MADE tHEM vEry rEsILIENt tO fluCtuAtions and the pandemic was a major for most but bearable,” he said.
Mr Jenkins said Fiji’s construction standards remains stagnant and could possibly become more strict in the future.