08 Jun 2016

Youth in the construction sector should familiarise themselves with laws that govern the industry.

Speaking during Botswana Youth Contractors Association meeting, Minister of Infrastructure, Science and Technology, Mr Nonofo Molefhi, said it was important for young contractors to understand industry regulations as well as employment and labour laws.

The minister said this was important because contractors   were employers, hence might encounter incidences that might need the understanding of relevant laws.

Minister Molefhi also encouraged contractors to have proper procurement plans and scheduling of work, noting that his ministry had identified poor scheduling of work among youth contractors, something which he said had an impact in the contractor’s capacity to deliver.

For every project,  he said, contractors should employ people  based on the minimum required skills for jobs.

Some of the weaknesses that the minister said had been identified in youth contractors included poor financial management, leadership role and management capacity.

Mr Molefhi said the construction industry needed honesty, integrity, reputation and reliability as key ingredients to success.

Taking short cuts, he said, would not take contractors anywhere because their mistakes would eventually be found out.

Contractors were also encouraged to make sure that best quality materials were used in all the projects.

Mr Molefhi, therefore, implored young contractors to take themselves seriously by adhering to basic principles because government was taking youth contractors seriously.

“It is therefore important that we ensure that the initiatives extended by government through citizen economic empowerment and reservation of employment for young people are taken seriously,” said Mr Molefhi.

Furthermore, the minister said it was government’s intention to support and stand by young contractors to ensure that they grew.

He also told the contractors that for the financial year 2016/17, P87 million had been set aside for maintenance, of which P14 million was reserved for youth contractors. ENDS