Road contractors who heavily underquote their estimates are incompetent, MP

Kapsabet

Friday, September 1, 2023

KNA by Geoffrey Satia

Roads across the country may be in poor state because engineers' cost estimates are not factored during procurement and tender awarding process.

Chesumei Member of Parliament Paul Biego while handing over construction of 15 Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) roads to contractors in Chemundu Ward said rogue contractors who underquote the cost of constructing roads may be the reason why most roads remain in poor state across the country.

Biego revealed that some contractors quote half the cost estimates of engineers just for them to win the tenders but end up delivering substandard road works.

The MP proposed a law at the procurement process which compels them to consider the estimates of a road engineer before awarding the tender to the contractor.

“I am shocked that some contractors who won the tender in my constituency quoted to undertake road works at Sh2.7 million against Sh5 million proposed by the roads engineers and am wondering the standard of works they will deliver,” Biego said.

He said the law that harmonizes between the highest and the lowest bidders should be strengthened during the tendering process to avoid huge disparities.

The legislator warned that quack road contractors have infiltrated the industry and added that necessary action should be taken to avoid further waste of taxpayers' money.

He exuded confidence that the standard of our roads will improve if the roads engineers' cost proposals and recommendations are adhered to.

The MP noted that some road contractors who he did not mention, won the tender to construct roads in his constituency but declined to receive his calls because he has insisted on quality road works.

Biego promised that he will work closely with the KeRRA officials plus the engineers and also the contractors to ensure that roads earmarked for upgrading are done properly and be an example to other constituencies across the country.

The KeRRA roads to be upgraded are all spread in the wards of Chemundu, Kosirai, Lelmokwo, Kaptel and Kiptuiya in Chesumei constituency.

Courtesy ; K. N. A