KATHMANDU: Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Physical Infrastructure and Transport, and Urban Development, Kulman Ghising, has said that improper management of development contracts is negatively impacting Nepal’s economy and employment.
Addressing a dialogue on poor contract management organized by the Nepal Infrastructure Journalists’ Society in Lalitpur on Tuesday, Minister Ghising said delays and inefficiencies in government contracts cause losses to the country and its citizens.
“Development projects face challenges when work is not carried out according to contracts. Nepali law does not permit any work without proper contracts. Mismanagement of contracts affects both employment and the economy,” he said.
Ghising also stressed that officials who fail to make timely payments or decisions after contract completion should be held accountable. Highlighting the need for improved coordination, he said that Nepal should consider organizing a contractors’ summit rather than just an investment summit.
The dialogue began with a presentation by infrastructure expert and former secretary Arjun Jung Thapa, who discussed government policies for terminating contracts and their broader impact.
Minister Ghising reiterated that effective contract management is critical for the timely execution of development projects and for minimizing economic and employment losses.
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