By Romesh Navaratnarajah: The Housing and Development Board (HDB) will closely monitor the delivery of 25,000 build-to-order (BTO) flats to ensure that quality would not be compromised.
Khaw Boon Wan, Minister for National Development (MND), assured this in parliament, while responding to a query by Dr Lee Bee Wah, who asked whether the construction industry has enough capacity in demand and manpower to deliver the projects.
In his response, Khaw said the housing plan for 2011 and 2012 could proceed as planned; knowing that the construction demand is below its peak while the demand in the private sector is expected to drop.
With the decline, the industry could shift to constructing more public flats, instead.
In terms of quality assurance, Khaw explained that the HDB conducts audit checks to monitor workmanship and building works.
Khaw added that the MND is now coping with manpower shortage by exploring other options like recruitment, training and developing. They will also adopt schemes to enhance the skills of workers and launch tertiary scholarships and sponsorships to encourage more candidates.
In a bid to add more buildable design as well as labour-saving construction methods and technologies, the MND has adopted the Construction Productivity Roadmap programme last year. Related stories:Holland Village residences worried about car park demolitionHDB wins prestigious eco awardDingy flat goes posh
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