SMALL CONTRACTORS should get more work from Government, now that they are being managed by a group comprising project managers, architects and quality surveyors.
Frustrated and struggling to hold onto Government contracts, several small contractors are now part of Caribbean Contractors and Construction Inc., a limited liability company established and owned by members of the group.
Yesterday, more than two dozen committee members representing more than 100 contractors met for nearly two hours at the SBA building in Pelican Village, to voice their discontent over their ability to access business opportunities with various Government agencies.
Chairman of the new organisation, contractor and architect Michael Chandler, said small contractors needed management and guidance in the execution of contracts.
“Successive Governments have said that small contractors cannot handle the work. Some of them can. Some of them can’t. A conglomerate of people in the field who understand management are now here to help so that Government can now feel comfortable in giving the small guys some of the work.
“The company will be managed by competent builders, architects, quality surveyors and project managers so that these personnel who are experienced will be responsible for the execution of the contracts, giving the small contractors some measure of management skills,” he said.
Chandler told the MIDWEEK NATION he was in no doubt this was the way forward.
“Government, along with the private sector, can feel assured that under this new company, there will be better management of projects in a timely and successful manner.”
SBA president Lynette Holder said the small contractors had been disgruntled for several months.
“These are small firms that have worked on roads, build houses and schools, erect fences, renovate properties, that are now unable to access those services and many of them have identified reasons that have been given to them.
“Some of those reasons don’t augur well for the kind of parity that we wish to see being demonstrated in the procurement of goods and services by Government, private sector, or any institution for that matter,” she said.
Holder said that small firms were struggling now more than ever in this economic downturn and every attempt should be made by Government to assist them.
“Some of them feel disenfranchised as a result of not being able to access opportunities that they otherwise would have accessed. We think it warrants the Government’s attention especially at a time when small firms are really struggling to stay afloat amidst the economic conditions that exist.”
Minister of Housing Michael Lashley noted in July that Government had great confidence in the small contractors of Barbados. “That is why we want them to be involved as part of the country’s capital works programme,” he said on a tour of the Housing Every Last Person Project in Forde’s Road, St Michael.
