Official notes drop in building standards

By PATRICIA TURLOM
The standard of building and construction in the country has dropped over the years and needs to be revitalised, says Melanesian Training Institute MTI) head of department Donald Paivu.
Paivu said standards in building and construction had dropped because of foreign influence in cost-saving.
“The building standard that PNG is currently using is from the Building Act from 1971,” he said.
“Houses and buildings being built from that time on till today are old Australian building standards.
“Many industries in East New Britain have been degraded because many foreign companies do not comply with the building standard that we are using in our country.”
Paivu said his building and architectural drafting department at MTI was trying to change that old trend.