Lessons not learnt, says CTV widower
Lack of knowledge blamed for defective repair work, writes Amanda Saxton
A grieving husband who lost his wife in the CTV building collapse is alarmed shonky building materials are being used in the rebuild.
Professor Maan Alkaisi, spokesman for the Christchurch Earthquake Families Group, said he questioned whether New Zealand’s building industry had learned anything from the 2011 earthquake.
He is disillusioned by the emerging stories of substandard buildings. He cited unqualified and inexperienced tradesmen, substandard structural engineering work, lack of proper inspections, and noncompliant steel as problems that continued to plague the industry. ‘‘Aren’t those the same reasons that caused the biggest loss of lives in Christchurch?’’ he asked.
Canterbury Master Builders president Ivan Stanicich said lack of knowledge was the reason for defective earthquake repairs.
‘‘That lack of knowledge directly swings into the under-resourcing because the builders, for the amount of work that needed to be done, there had to be a huge amount of additional labour put in.
‘‘The Government also exempted a whole lot of work from requiring a consent. To have a consent you have inspections,’’ Stanicich said.
Alkaisi said the city and it’s residents were still recovering from the earthquakes. ‘‘What excuse will the construction companies, the government and IPENZ use this time to explain any loss of lives?’’
‘‘There should be proper inspections, to ensure that building design, and construction, complies with the code.’’
A 10-week investigation by the Sunday Star-Times has identified three key problems. They include:
unqualified tradesmen who just can’t count, under-quote to get the job, measure badly, and cut corners;
cheap, substandard steel mesh for reinforcing concrete slabs, some imported from China and Malaysia;
materials being bought on overseas websites such as Ali Baba for a fraction of their price at New Zealand hardware wholesalers and retailers – and without quality certification.