Azerbaijan plans to shorten construction-project approval times and strengthen oversight of developers’ obligations under a new coordination mechanism ordered by President Ilham Aliyev.
The measures are also intended to address long-running construction delays and protect residents of apartment buildings slated for demolition, according to Vesti Baku.
Aliyev’s order established a Coordination Commission for Construction Projects. Its mandate is to remove administrative obstacles, improve cooperation among government agencies and accelerate the procedures required to obtain construction permits.
Lengthy approval processes remain one of the industry’s main problems. Even construction companies that comply with legal requirements can face delays while securing the necessary documentation.
The new mechanism calls for coordinated work among state agencies, faster consideration of problems as they arise and oversight of project implementation deadlines.
Specialists expect the commission to prepare an organizational plan within six months of beginning its work. The plan is intended to address the causes of delays in permitting procedures.
Old Apartment Buildings and Delayed Resettlement
The commission will give particular attention to projects involving the demolition of aging apartment buildings and the construction of replacement residential complexes.
Missed delivery deadlines are among the most serious problems in such projects. Delays may result from the actions of construction companies or from circumstances beyond their control. Residents waiting to move into replacement apartments can consequently remain in uncertainty for long periods.
The commission is expected to review such cases systematically and coordinate the responsible agencies to remove obstacles.
Digital Services and Transparency
The government also plans to improve digital public services related to construction. Officials expect the changes to make procedures more transparent and create better conditions for businesses.
The establishment of the commission does not, by itself, mean that permit-processing times will fall immediately or that stalled projects will be completed at once. Practical results will depend on the mechanisms the commission proposes and whether they are subsequently implemented.
Source: Vesti Baku