SINGAPORE : The first of the trials of the four men facing
criminal charges in the wake of the Nicoll Highway Collapse kicked
off on Monday.
In court was Ng Seng Yoong, a former project director of the Circle
Line who also monitored the excavation and design work in his other
capacity as the Qualified Person on the site.
He faces one charge of breaching conditions under the Building
Control Act.
Arguments on Monday centred on the monitoring of instruments on
site.
Their figures shot upwards in the days leading to the
collapse.
That, says one witness, a BCA engineer, should indicate that things
were not going as planned.
But just who was ultimately responsible for monitoring these
readings and taking action if they reached critical levels?
Deputy Public Prosecutor Edwin San contended it was the Qualified
Person, or Ng's job.
Ng's defence counsel Andre Maniam's argument was that while the
Qualified Person has responsibilities, the builder, Nishimatsu
Construction Company, also had a duty to keep within the limits in
the first place.
The trial continues.
Meanwhile, the other three men facing charges are expected to have
their trials start in December. - CNA /ct