STRUCTURAL weaknesses exposed by Tropical Cyclone Evan warrants a review of the building code, said Local Government Minister Colonel Samuela Saumatua.
"An area that needs to be brought up to par with the National Housing Policy is the Building Code. We really need to relook at this code to make it relevant to 2013," Col. Saumatua said.
He acknowledged that the Lami, Suva, Lautoka, Ba and Nadi councils were making great efforts to make their municipalities climate resilient, but warned city and town leaders not to be complacent.
"I want you to bear in mind that climate change will not go away and that we are to continue to work towards disaster resilience, and this year I want you to put a special emphasis on disaster resilience, developments and good governance," Col. Saumatua said.
The fourth quarter special administrators, chief executive officers and Local Government meet was to be held in Lautoka last December but was rescheduled because of TC Evan.
Guest speaker at the forum, chairman of the Fiji Institute of Engineers Pratap Singh said: "While engineers and contractors competency will come into question if there is an issue with a particular building or development, councils could also be liable because they are the approving agency," he said.
Mr Pratap said the effect of TC Evan on buildings in the Western Division brought into question the competency of architects, engineers, contractors and councils in gauging whether documents provided complied with building regulations.