Experts have emphasized on having occupancy certificates in building construction to reduce post-earthquake disaster.
They also said Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) have to issue directions on rectified buildings and have to obtain occupancy certificate for ensuring safety.
Experts remarked this at a workshop organized by Rajuk and Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (Rehab) on Sunday.
Rajuk Chairman Anisur Rahman Miah has said that the World Bank funded Urban Resilience Project strengthens the capacity of governmental agencies to respond to emergency situations and reduces the vulnerability of future disasters in Dhaka and Sylhet.
Under the project, a survey was conduct recently and found that 500,000 buildings, 1.6 million tin-sheds and semi-pucca houses have been identified among the 2.1 million houses in Dhaka metropolitan area.
The project also conducted Rapid Visual Assessment (RVA) of 3,252 building and identified around 17.8% out of total RVA buildings in disaster management risk.
Survey data also shown that 94 schools, 78 colleges, 11 universities and four hospitals were in need to be ratified.
Project Director Abdul Lat if Helali said: “We are formulating vulnerability map on Dhaka metropolitan city which would be published soon.”
However, a separate urban regeneration plan was taken for old Dhaka city, he added.
Prof Mehedi Ahmed Ansary of Buet was present at the seminar as the keynote speaker.
He said: “To mitigate a major tremor, we have to prepare both at government and local level through policy making, raising awareness and having to ensure occupancy certificate.”
Regarding the need for occupancy certificate, he said: “If there is a safety certificate, the person who will be responsible can be identified easily and accountability would be ensured.”
He advised to end the processing of issuing certificate on fast manner through third party.
In 2016, Rajuk issued a notice to enlist third party company for promoting occupancy certificate.
However, some experts alleged that a section of Rajuk official had stopped proper procedures as they feared to loss their personal benefits and power.
FBCCI Safety Council Brigadier General (Retired) Advisor Abu Nayeem Md Shahidullah suggested that no electricity, water and gas would be provided unless a house owner does not ensure occupancy certificate.
World Bank representative Shorna Kazi said: “World Bank's perspective of securing the resilience of urban populations to both climate change and natural disasters is critical if we are to achieve our dual goals of ending extreme poverty and promoting shared prosperity.”
