REGULATORY AGENCIES MUST EARN THEIR WAY BY APRIL 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 13, 2009

PRIME MINISTER SAYS REGULATORY AGENCIES MUST EARN THEIR WAY BY APRIL 2010

Prime Minister Bruce Golding has given State agencies that regulate commercial activity by April 1, 2010 to become self sufficient.

Mr. Golding was speaking at the handing over ceremony of the National Building Code in Kingston this morning, (October 13) in Kingston. The National Building Code is a comprehensive document of eleven Building Code Application Documents that guide building professionals in areas that include fire safety, energy conservation, plumbing and sewage disposal and removal and demolition of buildings.

Clip 1

Cue in: "A regulation of commercial activity as of April 1 next year must not be a charge on the budget...

Cue out: ......I am very determined that the taxes that we collect must be used to finance things that are basic core responsibilities of government."

The Prime Minister also spoke about the proposed changes to how planning and building approvals are handled between central and local authorities.

Clip 2

Cue in: "What is proposed is residential buildings up to 3,000 square feet, modifications of existing buildings up to 1,500 square feet......

Cue out: ...to the central authority in Kingston."

Mr Golding congratulated the Steering Committee for the sterling work that they have done and said that the government would take up the challenge to have legislation drafted so that the Code becomes law. The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction that the University of Technology and HEART Trust/NTA have committed to use the National Building Code as the standard when designing training modules.

The Code was designed by professionals of the built environment including engineers, architects, environmentalists and parish councilors. Research was undertaken by the Jamaican Institution of Engineers to ensure consistency with best practices, safety, health and environmental factors for Jamaica and Jamaicans. Among key considerations were the environmental hazards, climate, soil types, terrains and geology of Jamaica.

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