BU readers know that we try to discuss international issues which we think may have some connection to what we are doing in Barbados. We read this story about a bridge collapsing in Vietnam and killing possibly 60 people. You may ask, why is this story of interest to BU? The bridge was being built by our friends China State Construction. Barbadians know that this same company is responsible for constructing several new buildings in Barbados over the years. We have no issue with China State Construction, but we have highlighted this incident because of the discussion Barbadians have been having about the quality of steel which is being imported from China to supply major building projects in Barbados. In a recent radio programme, we heard engineer Grenville Phillips III, expressing concern that the quality of steel being used to construct many buildings across Barbados is of the banned variety. It was further confirmed that the steel which we import from T&T, and which it is alleged Mike Pemberton et al have imported from China, have questionable ductility and should be relegated to the building of roads and other similar structures.
We think that this is one of those stories which should encourage Barbadians to appreciate the importance of building standards.
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