More KSAC vigilance, please

Recently, when part of the multi-storey house under construction in King Weston (rural St. Andrew) collapsed killing the contractor and injuring four workmen, the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation (KSAC) put a stop order on further construction, examined the structure, declared it unsafe and ordered it demolished. The media reported that the building was being constructed without the requisite permit.

During the television coverage of the KSAC visit to the scene, apparent members of the team remarked that, on their way to the site, they noticed several breaches consisting of structures perched on the edge of precipices and supported in part by stilts. They were intimating that those buildings also appeared unsafe and warranted investigation.

Several things about that televised scene concerned me. Why was it that such a large and illegally constructed building went unnoticed until tragedy struck? I also found it shameful that it was just now that all those buildings, partially supported by stilts, were being scrutinised and suspected of being unsafe. I wouldn't have been so glib about announcing those observations if I were those government officers, after all, such transgressions and apparently dangerous constructions should have been detected by them a long time ago. Who will be held accountable for that dereliction of duty?

As I understand it, the KSAC's city engineer's department is ultimately responsible for, among many other things, looking out for breaches of building codes, sidewalk encroachments, signage, vending, roads, drains and several other matters that could affect the public safety. It is my understanding that surveyors are assigned zones for which they are responsible.

tracing matches

I, therefore, always found it strange to see the mayor of Kingston, with the media and police in tow, confronting law-breakers (regarding building permit breaches, signage, safety rules and covenants). His Worship the Mayor often becomes embroiled in tracing matches with angry wrong doers, thus diminishing his status with every unpleasant exchange.

Consequently, sometime last year I called the city engineer's department because, although the mayor is head of the Council, his actions in spearheading campaigns against certain breaches that fall directly under the ambit of the city engineer's department, gave the impression that that department was being sidelined.

I spoke with a very senior individual within the city engineer's department but when I asked him what were the duties of the city engineer he brusquely replied, "Why would you want to know that?! It's not for public knowledge!" I explained that I didn't see why it was a secret and he directed me to the office of the town clerk. They instructed me to submit my inquiry in writing!

When bureaucrats start getting defensive and uncooperative, something is amiss. People are operating outright factories and other outlawed businesses smack in the middle of residential communities. These blatant breaches go unnoticed because KSAC vigilance is sorely lacking. Even when aggrieved and endangered citizens complain, the onus is often put on the victims to help build a case against the lawbreakers.

And so, buildings are constructed without permits, covenants are breached with impunity, sidewalks are obstructed and shops and factories are set up anywhere. Even the sole public entrance/exit at the University Hospital of the West Indies has become disgraceful and dangerous with taxis and buses and sidewalk vending converting the area into a confused and cluttered, chaotic mess - where hustlers have become a law unto themselves.

How many blatant breaches, and perhaps deaths, will it take before more vigilance is employed to halt this insidious anarchy that threatens us all?

Garth A. Rattray is a medical doctor with a family practice. Feedback may be sent to garthrattray@gmail.com or columns@gleanerjm.com