11 May 2016

Contractors engaged in projects done through the Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) have been urged to produce quality work within the stipulated time and budget.

Speaking at the official launch of ESP projects in Nata on May 9, the Minister of Lands and Housing Mr Prince Maele said while government has made it a point to award ESP projects strictly to local contractors as way of empowering them, they too should commit to produce works that were of quality within the agreed time.

The minister cautioned that he will not entertain situations where a contractor will seek extension to complete the project and additional funds on claims that they had under quoted funds required for the whole project.

Furthermore, Minister Maele alerted the contractors that since government had committed to localisation of projects by awarding tenders strictly to local companies, upon realising that a contractor had rather engaged another contractor, which in most cases that of a foreigner, they would cancel the tender and pass it on to another local company.

He noted that by so doing, they would be sending a warning message because often they have had situations where local companies complained that they were not given jobs while instead, they had tendencies of giving them to foreign companies.

Mr Maele stated that in many such situations, projects had been abandoned in the process and or the contractors comeback to them with claims that they had under quoted and at the same time they needed extension on the duration of the project.

He stated that strict measures had been put in place to take action and enforce accountability on every step of the project.

The minister said as a ministry, all their projects would be paid on time to avoid queries from employees engaged and suppliers of materials.

On other issues, Minister Maele said they had already awarded 80 per cent of projects that his ministry would be undertaking through ESP for the 2016/2017 financial year.

He added that projects in Nata/Gweta constituency would include 18 houses under public officers housing initiative, with 10 in Nata and eight in Sepako with the whole project costing government a total of P3.7 million.

Nata/Gweta MP Mr Polson Majaga said it was a new beginning for their area and implored residents to welcome such developments. ENDS