Minister of National Planning and Infrastructure Mohamed Aslam has stated one of the biggest challenges in completing projects is the delay in the process of tender for projects. The planning minister made the remarks at the opening ceremony of the Bidders' Symposium.
Addressing the ceremony, Planning Minister Aslam said the quality of the projects depend on the quality of the contractors, adding the ministry has to undergo several procedures to select a qualified contractor. He said there are 3 ways to select contractors according to the law, elaborating contractors can be selected by a bid process open for all parties, a bid process which allows certain number of parties and a bid process which allows only certain parties.
The planning minister expressed importance is given to allow most parties to bid for projects as it allows to weigh the differences and advantages. Noting all projects except one was contracted under the open bid policy, the minister said selecting a contractor consumes a lot of time and effort. In this regard, he mentioned a contractor for the project is selected after certain procedures, adding it results in the delay of beginning the practical work of the projects.
The administration has allocated over USD 161 million for infrastructure projects, although projects only worth about USD 97 million have been contracted so far.
Efforts are underway to handover the remaining projects to contractors, according to the planning minister.