PM urges contractor to complete projects on time

Kathmandu, Sept. 2: Prime Minister SherBahadurDeuba Saturday said that contractors had an important role in the development of the nation.

Addressing the 19^th Annual General Assembly of the Federation of Contractors Association of Nepal (FCAN)here, he urged the contractors to create quality infrastructure and timely completion of development projects.

“You are the builders of much needed infrastructure and other means of development. Therefore every infrastructure you create must be of quality,” he said.

Stating that the government was aware of the problems of the contractors he said that their capacity, expertise and role should be enhanced.

“I am aware that many legal instruments are not entrepreneurs-friendly but I assure that the government is ready to make amendments in those laws,” he said.

Collaboration between the government and private sector is needed to lead the country in the part of development, and government has strategy to take the business community together in terms of development works, he said.

Minister for Commerce Min Bishwokarma said that since the country couldn’t prosper without the creation of physical infrastructure, there was no alternative to contractors.

He urged for sincerity and efficient coordination among the development stakeholders.

President of International Federation of Asian and Western Pacific Contractors’ Associations (IFAWPCA) Datuk Matthew Tee suggested the government to increase investment in infrastructure.

“Contractors generally face challenges like lack of quality human resources, efficient technology and timely payment. I recommend the government for timely payment and support the entrepreneurs in technology transfer,” he said.

Chief of Physical Infrastructure Department of the CPN-UML Dr. BijayaPoudelsuggested the contractors to be transparent in business.

He also criticised the government for inefficient procurement system.

President of FCAN Sharad Kumar Gauchan warned the government that if the demands of the contractors were not fulfilled, they would opt for the protest programmes.

He claimed that Nepali contractors were delivering fine results although they had been facing multiple problems.

The FCAN felicitated Managing Director of the Nepal Electricity Authority KulmanGhishing for his leadership in ending load shedding, and President of Non-Resident Nepali Association SheshGhale for his works in social development in Nepal.