“This is a historic order that will go a
long way in reversing the current dominance of foreign contractors in
the construction sector,” said ACCT Chairman Engineer Milton Nyerere in a
statement issued in Dar es Salaam.
President Magufuli, speaking at a
ceremony to commission two separate multi-storey buildings for the
National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and PPF Pension Fund in Arusha on
Monday, directed especially public estate developers to give priority to
local contractors in the project execution.
“The other day you have NSSF or PPF
funded project, make it compulsory to use the local contractors, that is
the new direction,” President Magufuli directed.
Engineer Nyerere, in a statement issued
in the city, described the president’s stance as a proof that he has the
public interest at heart, regardless of international and regional
pressure.
“We salute you Mr President! You have
vindicated local contractors’ demand for top priority in the execution
of multi-billion shilling projects in the country,” said the ACCT boss,
noting that the Public Procurement Act, 2011 has a clause that directs
public firms to award contracts of less than 10bn/- to local firms.
However, many public firms have been snubbing local contractors, denying them what is their right.
ACCT is optimistic that during President
Magufuli’s tenure, many local contractors will sharpen their skills and
build a strong financial base to compete even beyond borders. “ACCT
wish to assure the President that we will never disappoint him...we plan
to convene a meeting to chart-out a strategy of effective use of the
opportunity,” said Engineer Nyerere.
Recently while gracing the opening
ceremony of the ACCT Annual General Meeting in Dodoma, the Permanent
Secretary in the Ministry of Works, Transport and Communications, in
charge of Works sector, Engineer Joseph Nyamhanga, said the government
effective 2016/17 fiscal year has resolved to offer local contractors
lucrative contracts for all public funded projects under his Ministry.
“We in the fifth phase government we
have resolved to see projects funded by tax payers money in the Ministry
are awarded to local construction firms. The goal is to contribute to
steady growth of the local contractors and benefit from home generated
financial resources,” noted Engineer Nyamhanga.
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