Contractors want improved licencing regime

Contractors want improved licencing regime

By Bernard Yaw ASHIADEY

The Association of Building and Civil Engineering Contractors of Ghana (ABCECG) has called on government to monitor the performance of contractors before their licences are upgraded and renewed.

Last week the Contractors Association launched the first National Excellence Awards for Building and Civil Contractors in Accra, which it hopes will bring competition into the industry in a bid to improve its performance.

“The entire industry needs to be regulated properly. All engineers, architects, surveyors, planners, contractors, consultants, builder and others must come together to form a coalition to maintain sanity in the system.

“There is the need to review and improve on the process of registration of contractors to reflect best practices in the world and eradicate all unqualified members from the system,” said the Chairman of the Technical Committee of ABCECG, Rockson Dogbegah.

Mr. Dogbegah added that beyond the registration of contractors, it will also be proper to ensure that the performance of contractors is continuously monitored to serve as a basis for licence-upgrades and renewals.

He said in addition to registration, the Ministry should undertake physical inspection of the offices and equipment of contractors before and after registration, provide for training of contractors and retooling of contractors.

He added that the registration of contractors and renewal of their licences must be done in consultation with the Association of Building and Civil Engineering Contractors of Ghana (ABCECG).

“Membership of ABCECG must be a requirement for the registration of contractors to facilitate joint monitoring of performance and sanctioning of non-performing contractors,” he said.

Edward Amanor, president of the Association, has also called for an independent regulatory body to regulate the sector, ensure high standards and bring sanity into the system.

This, it is believed, will provide an avenue for contractors who feel unfairly treated and private individuals who feel hard-done by a contractor to seek redress.

“Lack of an independent regulator makes the industry susceptible to infiltration by unqualified persons who tarnish the image of genuine professionals.

The awards ceremony, which will be held at the Banquet Hall of the State House on the 8^th December, is seen as a motivation for members and stakeholders to enhance their performance.

It will also be a development that will lead to a significant improvement in service delivery in the construction industry, which will in turn lead to correction of the perceived negative public image associated with the industry.

Under the award scheme, all contractors will be invited into a competition and the best recognised and awarded.

Participants will be competing for awards for outstanding quality of work and workmanship; outstanding time and site management; outstanding health safety and environmental management; outstanding corporate social responsibility - local and foreign categories; and the ultimate prize of the National Building Contractor of the Year.