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