The Senate's Commission for Research, Science, Technology and the Environment (CRSTE) has approved a draft Bill to amend the Construction and Building Code. The draft was presented by the Minister of Urban Planning, Housing and Living Environment, Mr Moussa Sanogo.
The reform provides for mandatory construction site risk coverage and a 10-year warranty against construction defects, according to a post on the Facebook account of the Senate. This measure is intended to better protect the public against the consequences of building collapses and construction defects.
The Minister, speaking at the draft Bill review session held on 9 June, clarified the obligations incumbent upon the various stakeholders, including builders and owners.
Builders will be required to take out, from the start of construction, an All Risks Construction Insurance, as well as civil liability insurance covering, for a period of 10 years, damages related to the construction. It covers damages that may occur during the construction phase, for example, a fire, an accident, or the destruction of the structure under construction. It also covers construction-related damages for 10 years after the building's completion.
Building owners will be required to take out civil liability insurance covering damage caused to third parties in the event of the building's collapse.
The reform reinforces the measures undertaken by the Ivorian authorities to improve oversight of the construction sector. Despite the increase in site inspections, from 9,867 in 2021 to 17,375 in 2024, compliance with insurance and technical inspection requirements remains inadequate.