FIJI needs a system for vetting the competence of engineers brought in to plan or oversee developments in the country.
This was the view of the Fiji Institution of Engineers (FIE) expressed by its chairman Pratap Singh at the 2012 fourth quarter Local Government consultative forum held in Lautoka last week.
During his presentation to municipal council heads, Mr Singh revealed that the destruction caused by Tropical Cyclone Evan should not have happened if engineers and builders had followed the national code which meant that buildings in the country should be able to withstand winds of up to 252 kilometres per hour.
Mr Singh said it was important for overseas engineers to be aware of the standards in place.
"When we bring in people from outside of Fiji to conduct work, there needs to be some form of vetting procedure," he said while addressing Local Government Ministry officials, special administrators and council CEOs.
"We cannot allow people to come in and practise here at will without checking their competency."