OPPOSITION MP Cole Simons is urging the Premier to step in to avert “a national crisis” within the construction industry.The Shadow Environment Minister spoke out after Construction Industry of Bermuda president Alex DeCouto claimed the Planning Department was under-staffed and causing multi-million dollar building projects to be delayed.

Mr. Simons said the industry was subject to spiralling costs because construction firms were keeping staff on while not being able to press ahead with work because of “draconian” planning policies and processes”.

“The real losers in the ongoing planning debacle are now beginning to surface, the people of Bermuda,” Mr. Simons said.

“Our economy and our people are now bearing the brunt of Bermuda’s draconian planning policies and processes. Bermudian families are being held at ransom, because a large number of the bread winners who work in the construction industry are being layed off. Many of our development projects run the risk of collapsing, if the planning delays overtake the changing market conditions.

“In addition, the cost of development continues escalate because some employees are held on, while the developers await planning clearance and building permits, which can take up to a year. If we are to be competitive, and want to operate as a first world country, our planning policies and laws must operate at first world standards. Bermuda deserves a well oiled Planning Department, a Planning Department which can address our residential and mega commercial development with efficiency and nimbleness.

“Our economy can ill afford the knock on effect which results from poorly managed planning policies, and an under-resourced Planning Department. This Government cannot and must not continue to hold this country at ransom because of its inefficiencies and poor management.

“The Premier must step in and manage this before our planning process becomes a national crisis. The President of the Construction Association of Bermuda should be commended for highlighting the challenges facing the industry — for telling us about the possible lay-offs, for telling us about the possible dip in the construction industry, for telling us about fragile nature of the industry and how the projects can be cancelled because of spiralling inflation, because the planning approval delays are overtaken by market conditions.

“His concern must be taken seriously, as we can ill afford to compromise Bermuda’s second largest industry, the construction industry.

“I suggest that Mr. DeCouto makes an appointment to meet with the Premier of Bermuda .

“He should demonstrate the ongoing planning and development application problems and delays are costing the economy millions of dollars and is having a knock on effect on all Bermudians and not just the staff in the Planning Department.

“It is shameful that our colleagues who work in the construction industry face possible lay off, because the Government of this country refuses to commit the appropriate resources that will allow Bermuda have a well managed Planning Department.

“This department should be adequately staffed to ensure that Bermuda has a truly responsive planning process which can handle today’s residential, commercial and tourism development needs.”

The Environment Ministry did not respond to questions from the Mid-Ocean News by press time last night.