Major crackdown on illegal buildings underway
THE Honiara City Council (HCC) says it is taking tougher measures to crackdown on illegal buildings within the city boundary.
Honiara City Lord Mayor, Alfrence Fatai said the council had resorted to take tougher action to quell and put a stop to illegal settlements springing up all over the city.
The city mayor warned that those caught in defiance of the council existing by-laws and regulations will face the full brunt of the law.
He said that simply means prosecution in a court of law.
Mr Fatai further warned that infrastructure and buildings found to have not complied with safety standards approved by the Town and Country Planning Board will be demolished by the council.
The mayor said the tough stance taken by the council sends stern warnings to future developers who may be thinking they could please themselves by putting up buildings as and anywhere they like within Honiara city without complying with the city council code of Safety Building Regulations.
He said the exercise is long overdue, thus the council must act now.
The city mayor said many builders have also defaulted payment of legal fees as required under the City Building Ordinance.
Mayor Fatai further pointed out that a penalty fine of $10,000 as stipulated under the Safety Building Regulation will be imposed on builders found to have constructed buildings without first obtaining permit and approval from the Town and Country Planning Board of the council.
Mr Fatai said the council will no longer tolerate acts of misgivings by those who think they can please themselves and do as they like without obtaining legal authority to do so.
He said in order to live a harmonious and an orderly life among fellow citizens, we must all succumbed to comply with requirements of the laws of the land.
Mr Fatai reminded everyone that no one is above the law.
He added Honiara City belongs to everybody living here, and that everyone must take pride in making sure it’s a safe and orderly place to live harmonious and peacefully with each other.
By BRADFORD THEONOMI
