Bulebel wall collapse: Bonnici Brothers silent on ‘poor workmanship’ claims
Chamber of Architects investigation into partial collapse of Gutenberg Press perimeter wall last year points to 'incorrect sequencing of works'
A major building contractor has not responded to claims of “poor workmanship” made by a professional body of architects and civil engineers.
Bonnici Brothers were listed as the contractors responsible for the construction of a Gutenberg Press building in Bulebel that last year suffered a partial collapse of one of its perimeter walls.
An investigation by the Chamber of Architects put the collapse down to poor workmanship by the contractors, Bonnici Brothers, who were not named in a statement issued by the body.
Questions sent to Bonnici Brothers by Times of Malta went unanswered.
The chamber said in its statement that the collapse was the result of “incorrect sequencing of works” by the contractor, including the failure to infill and seal the perimeter walls, which were designed to support a slab before being cast.
It noted that the project was “characterised by poor workmanship in other areas”, most notably mismatched wall joints near one of the corners of the site, due to the failure to build level masonry courses.
According to the chamber, the architect behind the project bore no responsibility for the collapse.
“From the evidence gathered, it is amply clear that the collapse did not occur as a result of negligent designs or instructions, or more generally due to any professional negligence on the perit’s part,” the statement says.
The chamber said that the correct execution of works falls under the exclusive responsibility of the contractor and/or licensed mason.
Bonnici Brothers have been frequent bidders for high-profile government projects.
They formed part of a winning consortium to build a €600 million waste-to-energy plant, the tender for which has since been scrapped.
The construction company also formed a consortium for an €80 million bid to extend Mater Dei’s emergency department and build a new psychiatric ward. The tender was scrapped on cost grounds.
Prime Minister Robert Abela, a former business partner of Bonnici Brothers, has vowed to see the hospitals projects through.
In January, Times of Malta uncovered how Bonnici Brothers subcontracted works on a public social housing project to an Italian contractor with business to Malcolm Galdes, the brother of former social housing minister Roderick Galdes.