Government cracks down on road contractors: contracts to be cancelled for poor performance

The Government has warned that it will not hesitate to cancel contracts for slackening road contractors who are failing to deliver.

In a recent question and answer session in Parliament, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister, Felix Mhona, said Government is in the process of cancelling contracts for companies that have failed to deliver in the ongoing road rehabilitation programme.

“As I am speaking, we are cancelling such contracts, contracts of those who have failed to deliver, then we will go back to the tender process,” he said.

“If there is a road which relates to what I have just alluded to, then we are going to be removing such contractors and replacing them.”

Minister Mhona said unlike in the past when contractors used to be paid upfront, currently contractors are receiving payments after satisfactory completion of works.

“In the Second Republic, we expect a contractor to do his job, then after successful completion, the contractor gets paid.

“What was happening in the past was that a contractor was paid, then they would do their job. Some, after getting paid, would abscond from their duties. For example, when someone is paid 10 percent of 10 million, it is one million they then spend that money.

“When someone has been given a tender, they should perform.”

Minister Mhona said Government policy requires that once awarded a tender, a contractor must commence work within seven working days.

“Government policy is that when you have been given a contract, you are expected to start the ball rolling within seven days but when we see that you have not started the mobilisation process, we approach you and inform you that you cannot continue with the task,” said Minister Mhona.

Via Herald