Community Notice: ClickB4UDig Collaborative Initiative Launches

ClickB4UDig - an initiative between the Department of Planning and the utilities regulator OfReg - launches today, Monday 17 August. ClickB4UDig aims to ensure subterranean critical national infrastructure is protected and those working on construction and development projects are kept safe.

ClickB4UDig allows contractors to check their development site for internet cables, power lines, water and sewer pipes, before they proceed with the next phase of the construction process. Damage to essential infrastructure can be costly and lead to a fine under the Information & Communications Technology Law or the Utility Regulation and Competition Law.

Persons can submit applications to check their site using the https://www.clickb4udig.ky/ portal. Submissions will be reviewed initially by OfReg to check for relevance, before they pass to licensees for review. When all parties have studied the application and found no issue to prevent the process moving forward, the applicant will be alerted. All relevant planning and development regulations must then be followed, before construction can begin.

Director of Planning, Haroon Pandohie explains: “We are fortunate to see the Cayman Islands enjoy the many benefits of a buoyant construction industry, but sustainable and stringent planning requirements are an essential cornerstone of this sector of the economy.

“Accidentally hitting buried power lines can have serious – sometimes irrevocable - consequences, particularly for those working in development and construction. ClickB4UDig is an important collaboration between the Department of Planning and OfReg which will keep workers safe from injury and protect the jurisdiction’s infrastructure from damage,” Mr Pandohie states.

Executive Director ICT at OfReg Alee Fa’amoe adds: “Infrastructure like internet and electric cabling is fundamental to persons going about their lives and work in the Cayman Islands. Protecting these assets is essential to prevent disruption from avoidable outages, which can be expensive to fix and have considerable consequences on our economic output.”

Mr. Fa’amoe expresses his gratitude to “partners at C3, Flow and CUC who have already come on board to facilitate with this project.”

Minister for Commerce, Planning and Infrastructure Hon. Joey Hew says: “In the first three quarters of 2019, the Cayman Islands construction industry grew considerably: the value of building permits rose by 68.6% compared to the same period in 2018 and the value of project approvals stood at $618.3 million (https://www.eso.ky/UserFiles/page_docums/files/uploads/cayman_islands_third_quarter_economic_re-5.pdf).”

He adds: “ClickB4UDig crystallises expertise from the Department of Planning and OfReg to ensure the industry is safe, sustainable and cost-effective for the long term. This Government has implemented a raft of measures to ensure this vital pillar of the economy is able to withstand the global fallout from the COVID-19 crisis; ClickB4UDig is another example of our efforts to support the dynamic construction sector.”