Contractors accused of poor work ethic

By Billy Rwothungeyo

The Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA) has given six road services companies the last chance to defend themselves over accusations of unethical practices.

The six, which have failed to respond to two earlier summonses to defend themselves, risk being suspended or struck off the list of providers if they do not turn up to answer the accusations.

The six companies are M/s Uganda Tyre Distributors Limited, M/s Faw Construction Company Limited, M/s Naita Service Delivery, Jimmidim General Enterprises, M/s Paddy Enterprises and M/s Modern Construction Company.

“This is the third and last time that we are inviting them so that we can hear their side of the story. If they fail to show up, we shall go on and suspend them,” PPDA’s senior public relations officer said.

Of the six firms, M/s Uganda Tyre Distributors Limited and M/s Faw Construction Company Limited are accused of presenting forged bid securities, while the rest allegedly presented forged Register of Provider certificates.

The PPDA received complaints about these companies and recommendations to discipline them from the Uganda National Roads Authority and the Kibuku District Local Government.

PPDA instituted investigations and invited the companies to attend hearings on October 29 and November 12 last year, but they did not turn up.

With the value of public procurements increasing, doing business with the Government has become more attractive. This has also raised the stakes in the competition for these tenders; as a result many local enterprises have resorted to forgery of documents to win.