BETONG: Local Bumiputera contractors should equip themselves with the relevant skills to ensure they are competitive enough to benefit from development projects in the state.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said the government had announced a huge allocation for infrastructure development such as roads, water and electricity supplies.
The local contractors should grab this golden opportunity as we want you to be involved in this large scale infrastructure development,” he said at the Betong Contractors Symposium held at Dewan Layar here on Thursday.
According to him, “Ali Baba” concept should not exist anymore as it could only “harm” the contractors who won tenders.
“Equip your companies with the relevant skills and also make sure that you can provide quality services. Excellent contractors with good records will easily get other future or subsequent tenders,” stressed the deputy chief minister.
On the development fund issue, Tengah said the allocation provided by the federal government was insufficient and therefore, the state government had taken an approach by announcing a huge budget for infrastructural development this year.
“We need to improve the quality of life of rural people and this approach will hasten the process,” he added.
More than 300 contractors from around Betong participated in the symposium, which was also attended by Industrial Development Assistant Minister Malcolm Mussen Lamoh and Saribas assemblyman Mohammad Razi Sitam.
