Author: ABELA MSIKULA
AfricaPress-Tanzania: THE Association of Citizen Contractors Tanzania (ACCT) has urged the government to consider involving local contractors in all major development projects to develop skills and reduce dependency on external experts.
ACCT Chairperson Milton Nyerere said in Dar es Salaam at the weekend that during the association’s 9th annual meeting that the mission would be attained once there was adherence to public procurement laws and regulations that directed main contractors to subcontract local contractors.
“Subcontracting local contractors will not only boost our economy, but also sharpen skills, including how best to match with rapid change in technology,” he said.
“We really face numerous barriers because even those few tenders we win no timely payments. Sometimes it takes more than five years, which doesn’t only affect our economy, but also make us bankrupt due to the huge burden of debts,” he said.
It was further revealed that there was wrong assumption that cost rates for local contractors when competing for tenders were high, but the truth was that local contractors never went beyond announced budgets.
According to him, the good thing is that the government and consumers aren’t allowed to issue tenders to any contractor whose cost rates are high.
He commented that respecting project contracts matters a lot to avoid any complaint to contractors be it on the performance and costs, among other claims.
While waiting for the government’s response to ACCT requests, he added, association members had opted for teaming up because working individually hindered skills’ development and personal economy stabilisation.
Director General of the National Business Council Godwill Wanga commented that all ACCT complaints would have to be taken on board by relevant government authorities, including the importance of subcontracting by main contractors.
“We are very concerned with the capacity building concept to local contractors. I will present all concerns to the Ministry of Finance and Planning for timely payments to protect your economy,” said Mr Wanga.
