We need honest contractors for change and development

We need honest contractors for change and development.

Media reports have shown that over shs 270bn has been lost to contractors citing forgery of some documents which has led to an overwhelming loss to government and of course pushing the tax payer to the wall.

It should be noted that Uganda spends a lot of money on awarding contracts considering that most of them are heavy with big sums involved. A lot of care should be taken by government while awarding such contracts to avoid cases of forgery and losses which affects the economy in the long run.

The contractor is supposed to oversee and manage improvement and remodeling of projects ensuring that work is done to the satisfaction of the contracting body. This requires skills, expert knowledge, and lots of time on the site to ensure quality work is done.

With this kind of work, it’s highly encouraged that contractors make it their duty to be honest and deliver as expected.

Lack of quality consciousness by contractors induces sub-standard inspection, which may prove to be devastating even leading to a plant shutdown. All this tends to aggravate the situation and in certain cases creates a situation where relationship between the client and the contractor is strained to the extreme. This then affects adversely on any other reputed firm engaged in providing such services.
While placing a contract with any firm/contractor, the client in this case the government must ensure that the contractor is capable to deliver goods and services as required. A proven track record of having provided services should be well assessed, the firm should be equipped with all the necessary support of qualified professionals, reliable equipment/materials and associated activities including the earth moving equipment depending on the nature of the contract and the client should carry out necessary evaluation of the firm by physically conducting visit at its premises/workshops, in the best interest of projects of national importance.

These conditions if followed will of course not only filter out those firms/ companies which are sub-standard but will also be assisting such companies/contractors in fulfilling the pre-requisites so that they enter into competition in a befitting manner having completed such requirements hence having  no compromise on quality to be done.

Today, one wonders why the works done are sub-standard to the extent that when roads are constructed they never last more than three years without having pot holes which look like lakes making it hard for the transport business to be smooth prompting inflated transport fares to people who use public means.

Research has shown that some schools have unfinished classrooms, few latrines, health centres have also fallen victims to these inefficient contractors who only think of themselves and yet the taxpayer continues to cough a lot of money.

We need honest contractors who will take on the jobs with all honesty and integrity. With this kind of setting, all works will be long lasting and of high quality which will make Uganda a better and developed place prompting the taxpayer to smile considering value for money will have been achieved.

Contractors need to show some compassion to the taxpayer in ensuring that their integrity and honesty is priority.