The Maldives National Association of Construction Industry (MNACI) has called on the government to expedite payments owed to contractors for development projects carried out in the atolls.
Contractors that work with their own equipment in line with the agreement are facing delays in receiving payments after submitting invoices, the association said in a statement released on Saturday. As a result, contractors are unable to pay employees and cover their expenses such as food, it added.
Other problems faced due to delays in the government paying contractors include the inability to pay suppliers who provided equipment needed for work, the statement noted. The issue has not been resolved despite complaints filed with the relevant authorities, the MNACI said.
In discussions with the relevant ministries and the Civil Service Commission (CSC), the MNACI said it urged government agencies to pay fines if invoices cannot be settled in the agreed upon time.
Despite meeting with President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in a bid to resolve problems faced by contractors and making a presentation on the issues, the MNACI said in its statement that there has not been any solution found in the past.
The MNACI called on the relevant government agencies to abide by contracts and to release funds for invoices. It also appealed for the introduction of equal contracts and the protection of their rights.
