KATHMANDU: The Nepal Construction Industry Council has urged Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to address the contraction in the construction sector by ensuring payment of outstanding dues and creating a favorable environment for infrastructure development.
In a meeting held on Tuesday evening at the Prime Minister’s residence in Baluwatar, the council’s President, Bali Bhadra Rana, and other officials drew the Prime Minister’s attention to the need for amendments to the public procurement guidelines.
They also highlighted issues such as the rising prices of materials like rebar and cement, requesting price adjustments in contracts to reflect these increases.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Oli mentioned that some payments to contractors had already been made, and that he had instructed the relevant authorities to expedite the remaining payment process to ensure smooth operations.
He also pointed out that the practice of awarding contracts at the lowest possible bid had sometimes resulted in poor-quality construction. Therefore, he urged contractors to maintain quality standards without compromising.
The Prime Minister said the government would not accept any work that fails to meet quality standards. He added that when estimating costs, potential risks should be considered to avoid issues later.
Lastly, Prime Minister Oli reiterated that the government prioritizes infrastructure development, recalling the successful completion of post-earthquake reconstruction projects as a testament to the government’s commitment to development.
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