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BREACHES IN BUILDING CODES

This house in Irish Town, St. Andrew, had a close call after the ground supporting a section of the house's foundation was eroded during a landslide during Hurricane Dennis. - ricardo makyn

YEAR AFTER YEAR, residents are flooded out because of blocked drains and those who breach the building codes.

There are government agencies which have the authority to see to it that developers of housing schemes, home owners and builders do not breach the building codes.

Many residents were flooded out recently because of breaches by some developers. Some residents complain that they fear for their safety every time a hurricane threatens because of the fear of being flooded out.

A returning resident said she had to cry when she saw on television the plight of residents in Clarendon whose houses were actually covered with water.

"I could not believe my eyes when I saw water rising up to the windows of the houses. I kept saying to myself how could that be.

"Are there no laws in Jamaica to protect the citizens from such conditions? I know that owning a house is almost everyone's dream but that should not happen to my worst enemy. The residents, I am sure, made great sacrifice to own the houses and should not have to be living in a pond when it rains.

"It seems to me that many Jamaican homeowners are also breaching the building codes and that can result in them being flooded out as well as other residents.

"I notice that not only houses are damaged but animals and cultivation because of poor drainage systems. I think the government should make it a priority to establish agencies or organisations in every parish to deal with the breaches".

The Parish Council has the authority under the Parish Councils Building Act to make by-laws generally for regulating the erection, alteration and repair of buildings within the limits of any town or of any rural area defined by any Parish Council. If a person fails to comply with the by-laws or is found guilty of a breach, he/she can be fined or imprisoned.

Section 29 of the Town and Country Planning Act makes provision for the Government Town Planner or his representative to enter upon any land for the purpose of observing the contravention of any development order or conditions attached thereto.

A person who obstructs the Government Town Planner from carrying out his duties can be fined or imprisoned.