BETONG, Dec 2: Contractors undertaking infrastructural projects in the rural areas are reminded to implement them according to stipulated specifications.
There must be no cutting of corners, like using inferior materials, to earn more profit, cautioned Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas after his walkabout to six longhouses in Anyut in his Bukit Saban constituency here today.
Emphasising that stern action would be taken against errant contractors, Uggah said when projects were awarded, they came with the Bill of Quantities (BQ) — a document spelling out the work details, price and terms and conditions.
“The beneficiaries are also given a copy for them to monitor the implementation. I have told them to report to me or the Resident or District Offices if they have issues to raise, like poor materials used or the work is done shoddily.”
He said while it was expected that contractors and subcontractors would want to make some profit, they should not be too greedy.
“The people who are supposed to enjoy the projects concerned will suffer when its usefulness is short-termed. We, as the area politicians, will also be affected when we are unfairly accused of being in cahoots with the contractors for personal gains.”
He said during election time, the opposition would certainly exploit such issues to their fullest for political mileage.
Uggah, who is also Minister for the Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development, said it was the intention of the government to see that rural folks have access to better basic infrastructure and facilities.
On another matter, he advised longhouse folks to avoid using the service of unqualified people to fix their electrical wirings as “more often than not such was the cause of longhouse fire outbreaks”.
“Get qualified contractors and electricians to do such jobs. Do not attempt to do it yourself, even for what is seen as a very minor thing,” he said, adding that the recent cases of longhouses fires should serve as a grim reminder. — DayakDaily
