Stop Order at WG Plaza
A14-day stop order that stretched into four months has raised questions over the continued development of the country’s tallest building. WG Friendship Tower says internal resolutions were being administered to address concerns that led to the stop order dated January 11, 2023.
“We’re not obligated to respond to you,” WG realtor Julien Yuen said in response to SunBiz queries.
Although the stop order was not the first for the Chinese-backed project since it got off the ground in 2018, the authorities have every right to shut down the entire project if they see fit.
But the National Fire Authority (NFA) – whose concerns gave rise to the January 11, 2023, stop order – chose natural justice. The stop order – issued by the Suva City Council – emanated from concerns raised by the authority.
NFA chief executive officer, Puamau Sowane, said the intention was not to completely shut down the project, but to ensure corrective measures and compliance issues are addressed progressively.
“The building will be standing there over hundreds of years to come, and it is our legislative role to ensure that the building complies with the National Building Code and is fire safe to occupy,” Mr Sowane said. With the increase in investment across the country, the NFA urged developers and contractors to work closely with regulatory agencies for a smooth pathway towards the completion of projects, and construction of resilient and safe buildings.
Background
NFA met with representatives from WG on two occasions to address the Stop Order Notice.
“The first meeting was presided by Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica; the second was presided by the Minister for Local Government and Housing Maciu Katamotu Nalumisa,” Mr Sowane said. “Both meetings were convened specifically to chart a way forward for this project and the outcomes of both meetings were both positive.”
Under the National Fire Service Act 1994, the NFA can issue a non – compliance notice if they relate to fire safety standards under the National
Building Code and other related standards.
“If the issues identified are not rectified within a certain period of time, NFA is at liberty to issue a Public Notice for Closure of Premises,” Mr Sowane said.
“We haven’t issued a Public Notice for Closure as yet; but under the principle of natural justice, we served them time to rectify all issues identified.”
Suva City Council (SCC) is expected to comment later.
Stop orders are issued after extensive consultation with all approving agencies, including the Occupational Health and Safety standards arm of the industry and relevant engineers, Mr Sowane said. “A stop work notice will only be placed as an end process of a line of consecutive non-compliances issues raised from these agencies from time to time during the course of construction and are not been met by the developer or the contractors,” he said.
“NFA highlighted a number of fire safety compliance issues relating to fire protection and prevention which were captured in our correspondence to
SCC, which requires the developer a 30-day timeframe to rectify the issues.
“NFA has no control over the work site during the period of the Stop
Work Notice, as the notice in this case was issued by SCC.”
NFA’s role
Stop orders are issued after extensive consultation with all approving agencies, including the Occupational Health and Safety standards arm of the industry and relevant engineers. Puamau Sowane National Fire Authority chief executive officer
NFA’s role is on fire safety compliance for all building constructions.
“With fire inspectors raising concerns over fire safety standards during the course of their inspections, the NFA had written to SCC highlighting its concerns over fire safety issues over the WG Project,” Mr Sowane said.
But the fire safety related concerns had nothing to do with fire hydrants not reaching the top of the 28-storey building, SunBiz was told.
“NFA Structural Fire Safety Department is responsible for compliance to fire safety standards and requirements, vetting and supervision of projects and conduct joint supervision during the construction ensuring compliance in fire related issues. “NFA has the authority to exercise its powers under the NFS Act 1994 to close businesses and construction that are noncompliant to standards,” Mr Sowane said. A fire engineer has since been assigned to guide the fire engineering design for WG Friendship Plaza.
“The expertise and timely comments will assist NFA tremendously in the approval of issues pertaining to fire safety,” Mr Sowane.
“WG has assured NFA of the engagement of a building service and architect in the course of construction to design, to monitor and sign off services in due
course.”