MDA issues ‘final warning’ to contractors following disastrous Birkirkara demolition, threatens blacklist

The Malta Developers Association (MDA) has issued a public condemnation of contractors “who show lack of respect towards the society by their carelessness and short-sighted actions.”

The lobby group claims that a small number of contractors are harming the reputation of the construction industry as a whole, adding that they are not fit for the job and can no longer be tolerated.

The lack of a licensing system for contractors was highlighted by the MDA, who have been one of the proponents for the system. The Government has pledged to create a licence thrice thus far, in 2019, 2021 and 2022.

In light of the absence of a licencing system, the MDA has decided to take action into its own hands.

This newsroom asked what the action would mean in practice, and whether a directive will be issued to its members not to work with the contractors listed.

MDA president Michael Stivala affirmed, “Correct. It’s a directive, and a member can be expelled from membership if not abiding by directives.”

When asked whether the blacklist will enter into force now, Mr Stivala said that this is a final warning.

Public confidence in the integrity of the construction industry was shaken following dangerous demolition works carried out last weekend (11-12th February). During demolition works taking place in Birkirkara, slabs of rocks were witnessed falling onto the road adjacent to the building.

To make matters worse, the project was led by the chairperson of the Building and Construction Authority (BCA), Maria Schembri Grima, who has since resigned and is currently being investigated by the Chamber of Architects.

Both the former chairperson of the BCA and Joseph Portelli, the developer behind the construction site, blamed contractors for the incident, according to reports by the Times of Malta.

The contractors responsible for the construction site are PRA Construction (a company owned by Joseph Portelli, Mark Agius, Daniel Refalo) and Polidano. Both have since been fined by the BCA.

Featured Image : Demolition works in Birkirkara, with fallout onto the road via MaltaDaily