Tall & Urban News

Work on three high-rise structures in Suva is at a standstill following a stop order issued by the City Council.

The buildings are the WG Friendship Plaza and Yue Lai Hotel both located in Flagstaff and a five-story structure on Rodwell Road.

Suva and Lami special administrator chair Isikeli Tikoduadua said they required proof and certification that steel being used for the structures adhered to the fire safety requirement in the National Building Code.

“The orders were issued on the basis of compliance,” he said.

“We do not have steel structures that are so high anywhere in Fiji, so we want to know if the steel being used in the three structures are fire resistant and comply with the National Building Code.

“Suva City Council engineers are being helped by two senior engineers from the private sector on this and we are working very hard to ensure certification is done.”

Tikoduadua said there was a need to ensure that buildings that were under construction were safe.

He said the National Building Code should be followed for the safety of those who would occupy the buildings and those frequenting.

The three projects are being looked after by Engineered Designs. Director Vijay Krishna said for the Yue Lai Hotel Project, the council requested submission of a fire report from a specialist fire engineer for the new development, and this was currently being arranged.

He said the council had additionally requested for submittals in respect of changes made to the design.

For the WG Friendship Plaza, Mr. Krishna said the owners had been stranded in China since the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak.

“We have forwarded your email for their comments as the project to date was managed by them. We can give you an update once we hear from them,” he said.

For more on this story, go to the Fiji Sun.