15th October 2019, Apia – The Green Climate Fund, Vaisigano Catchment Project (GCF-VCP) is continuing its momentum with the latest development being the consultations and engagement with the building practitioners and contractors in Savaii and Upolu aimed at the finalisation of the proposed Building Practitioners’ Licensing and Contractors’ Registration Draft Policy (BPLCRP) and assisting builders to initiate a Builders and Contractors Association amongst themselves.
The Ministry of Works Transport and Infrastructure (MWTI) is the lead Implementing Agency (IA) for the GCF-VCP Activity 1.4.4 under Output 1 which aims at effectively engaging and consulting with building practitioners and contractors in the finalisation of the proposed BPLCRP.
Two consultations will be held with the building practitioners and contractors, one each in Savai’i and Upolu on 16th and 17th October respectively. Building Practitioners and Contractors are invited by the MWTI under the auspices of the GCF-VCP to attend one of these two consultations to provide inputs and feedback to improve and finalise the BPLCRP. The MWTI will incorporate feedback and comments into the Draft Policy at the completion of the two days consultations, before submission to the National Policy Coordination Committee (NPCC) and Cabinet for approval.
Upon approval of the BPLCRP by the NPCC and Cabinet, the MWTI will carry out the registration of all builder’s and contractor’s in a National Builders’ Registration Database (NBRD). This activity is the beginning of a number of consultations aimed at raising awareness and encouraging the building practitioners and contractors as well as residents on the effective use of climate and flood resilient designs and building practices when constructing homes and buildings.
This can be viewed as a step taken by the MWTI through a ‘programmatic and integrated approach’ utilizing funding support from the GCF-VCP to help initiate a National Builders’ and Contractors’ Association to encourage climate and flood resilient designs and building practices in Samoa and compliance with the National Building Code (NBC).
The GCF-Project Management Unit (GCF-PMU) is supporting the MWTI, in engaging with the building practitioners and contractors to achieve its aim of constructing safe, strong and climate and flood resilient homes and buildings. This is an important activity under Output 1, Activity 1.4.4 of the GCF-VCP approved work plan, Samoa’s first GCF-funded project, with total funding of USD$65 million over six years.
