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Govt sets 167bn/- to settle contractors’ debts

MWANZA: THE government is set to pay off 167bn/- debt it owes contractors who are carrying out various development projects across the country.

Minister for Works, Mr Innocent Bashungwa assured on Thursday in Mwanza that the government is committed to clear all debts to enable smooth implementation of the projects.

At least 70bn/- was paid  in August this year, with 50bn/-  directed to local contractors and 20bn/- paid  to foreign contractors.

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“The payment should be over by June, 2024. That is the government’s plan,” said the Minister during the launch of a three-day contract management training to contractors organised by the Contractors Registration Board (CRB).

Mr Bashungwa urged the training participants to adhere to professionalism, ethics and quality, hence, timely completion of projects.

The Minister assured them of full government cooperation for the sector’s improvements, including an increase in a number of local contractors.

“I also direct the Board to take stern measures against all those who fail to comply with laws in accordance to the profession rules and principles,’ he noted.

The CRB Chairman, engineer Joseph Nyamhanga, expressed the gratitude to the government following its readiness to clear the debt, affirming that late payment is among major challenges that face contractors in implementing projects.

He assured that the board will always stand for the governing laws and rules, hence implementation of quality and standard projects.

To achieve such goals, he added, CRB considers regular training to its members, like directors of contraction firms, architects, engineers, quantity surveyors, technicians, among others.

He further explained that the training is for skill sharpening and knowledge exchange in relation to contract management.

“The course contents will be covering basic features on roles of contract parties, time, cost and quality control, insurance and securities, default and termination as well as claims and dispute resolution.”