Parliament must debate the awarding of public infrastructure contracts to local businesses, says Civil Aviation Minister Davies Steven.
Steven made this comment in Parliament on Tuesday during Question Time.
He gave the example of a local contractor who was engaged to redevelop Vanimo Airport in West Sepik Province.
“Our own national contractors even paid or assured of payments when faced with difficulties they pack up and leave,” Stevens said.
“Vanimo is a case where, even in excess of K46 million paid, explanations given that there will be a slight delay in the payments coming but they still packed up and left.
“Where in some instances where we have contractors from abroad, long term contractors who have partnered with aviation sector, when met with similar circumstances, they continue to endure and use their own resources and wait for government to come good.
“This is a pressing point and the discussions on who does public infrastructures, like airports need to be debated,” the Civil Aviation Minister said.
Picture by Kennedy Bani.