Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 25 2009:
Contending that complaints have been received of contractors not conforming to prescribed guidelines of quality control in addition to reports of bill withdrawal without execution of the assigned task, the United Kuki Liberation Front (UKLF) has stated no contractor would be permitted to work in areas controlled by the armed outfit, without its approval.
Speaking to newspersons at a Chandel district area this morning, UKLF's project Officer H Mangboi Thadou opined that recent collapse of a bridge near Mody village, that resulted in the demise of six persons on the spot and injuries suffered by 20 other occupants of a Shaktiman truck, is due to lack of quality control when the bridge was constructed.
Mody village lies about 2 kilometres from the district headquarters and the mishap occurred when football players along with supporters were returning home after a match when the bridge suddenly collapse and the vehicle thudded into the river bed.
Mangboi blamed contractor concerned for the mishap insisting that imbalance in the construction material used and the total earmarked amount had compromised quality control measures.
Confiding that a number of complaints have been received from the public of contractors withdrawing bills without any construction works as well as not adhering to prescribed quality control measures, the Project Officer noted that as development works are sanctioned after lengthy intervals the assigned tasks need to be implemented in a proper way failing which the general public who suffer the most.
Mangboi also affirmed that UKLF would assess whether the contractors who wish to carry out contract works under its jurisdiction have executed previous/past assignment in an acceptable manner before approving the contractor concerned to bid for work tenders.
Mangboi further cautioned contractors and officials concerned to honour the UKLF proclamation to avoid unwanted consequences.