A couple of years ago, a major project in the Temburong District was awarded to a group of designers, and contractors were eagerly waiting to tender for its building works. However, the last I heard, the procurement methodology had since been revised to “design and build”.
As an active player in the construction industry, my heart goes out to the designers. It must be heart-wrenching to have worked so hard for so long on something only to have it taken away.
More importantly, the new staff that had been employed to service the project has now be made redundant.
Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the country have always faced genuine challenges that impede their growth and success, due to limited contract opportunities. The dismissal of the designers seems to me like a move in the wrong direction, in terms of supporting the development of these smaller companies.
Observer
