AD HOC COMMITTEE ON BUILDINGS INSPECTION AND APPROVALS TABLES RECOMMENDATIONS AS NLC SHARES EXPERTISE

The AD HOC Committee on Buildings Inspection and Approvals chaired by the County Ombudsman Mr. Edward Indimuli Inzofu today took senior County government officials through the committee’s recommendations whose implementation will go a long way in bringing sanity to the building industry and enhancing revenue collection.

The report was presented at a workshop by the Committee’s Secretary, madam Peninah Mukabane which recommended the need to establish a County Development Control and Conflict Resolution Committee to be in charge of development control and approvals.

The committee also says a Sub County approval committee for single dwellings non-storey buildings should be established at each Sub County. There is need also for automation of the building approval process and the entire revenue collection activity, the report says.

Other recommendations were: developments to be categorized into two groups – single dwellings and multiple dwellings; recruitment of more physical planners; review of policies and regulations guiding the approval process and investment in more vehicles for sub county inspection teams.

The workshop which the deputy governor H.E. Prof Philip Museve Kutima officially opened today also cited a raft of challenges facing the building industry including sub standard works and tax evasion.

Meanwhile, senior officers from the National Land Commission led by the Director Research, Dr. Fibian Lukalo made a comprehensive presentation on complexities surrounding ownership, control and management of public land.

The team made it clear that all public land except rivers, riparian land, water towers and land with minerals and oil deposits belongs to County governments.

Also present were CECM for Lands, Housing, Urban Areas and Physical Planning, Mr. Alfred Matianyi, CECM for Finance and Planning, Mr. Geoffrey Omulayi, CECMs, Chief Officers, the chairperson of the County Public Service Board Madam Catherine Omweno, CPSB vice chair Mr. John Subai, the County Secretary and Head of Public Service, deputy CS, Chief of Staff, County Attorney, advisers, Heads of departments and Sub County Administrators.