An investigation is currently being conducted into the steel reinforcement manufactured and distributed in Fiji. Engineers Fiji announced this “due diligence exercise” following inquiries from SunBiz regarding the quality of local steel production.
Terence Erasito, president of Engineers Fiji, stated that they will provide a more detailed response after the investigation is concluded, under the guidance of the Ministry of Trade, Co-operatives, Small and Medium Enterprises and Communications, which operates within the Fiji Standards framework.
Erasito raised concerns about the implications of using substandard reinforcement steel in construction, noting that structures in Fiji are generally designed according to New Zealand Standards. He emphasized that using inferior steel would lead to non-compliance with the Fiji National Building Code and the aforementioned standards, which could adversely affect the structural integrity during seismic events.
For various infrastructures, including buildings and bridges, it is crucial that they can withstand seismic forces in a flexible manner. Erasito highlighted that the reinforcing steel used must be ductile, meaning it should maintain its strength under stress, such as during swaying motions caused by earthquakes. If steel bars contain excessive carbon or impurities, they risk failing prematurely, potentially leading to catastrophic structural failures.
In addition, Erasito called for the government to finalize and endorse the Chartered Professional Engineers of Fiji Act. He pointed out that while the Engineers Registration Act of 1976 is in place, there have been queries regarding proposed amendments to a bill from 2020, with no response from the Attorney-General’s office yet.
He urged the Ministry for Local Government, overseeing multiple municipal councils, to ensure that all developments in Fiji are endorsed by a Chartered Professional Engineer. This applies to various projects, from residential homes to major infrastructure developments.
Erasito stressed the importance of recognizing the role of professional engineers as guardians of civil society and called for the government to create an environment that acknowledges their professional integrity. He noted inconsistencies in how development applications are processed by different councils, which are burdening developers, investors, and homeowners, and emphasized the need to address these issues to improve business practices in Fiji.