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| Sunday, 29 May 2005 |
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Business |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Are resources adequate to meet needs of construction sector? by Elmo Leonard
While Sri Lanka now has adequate finances for her construction sector, the question remains whether the nation has the resources to mobilise such funds. There is $320 million for the restoration of the road sector damaged by the tsunami, which has to be utilised within two years. In addition the ADB has given $200 million to maintain other existing roadways within the country. There is another $40 million for restoration and repair of roadways in conflict areas. Sri Lanka's construction industry does not have the capacity to undertake so much work in the short period of time stipulated. If the work is awarded to the local construction industry, the funds coming into the country, equipment needed, and the expertise gained, would remain within the country. In the event of the work being awarded to foreigners the funds coming in, which the nation will pay for in dollars, with interest, will be siphoned out of the country. The equipment brought in by the foreign contractors will be shipped out on completion of the projects, president, Chamber of Construction Industry, Sri Lanka (CCISL) Surath Wickramasinghe said. Sri Lanka does not even have the aggregate, as stones and sand needed for such massive construction. While the island has around five construction contractors who have the capacity to pre-qualify for such work, the government must increase the number of contractors who would qualify for undertaking such projects, Wickramasinghe said. One way in which this could be achieved is by making it eligible for small and medium size contractors with machinery and equipment to form joint ventures, and also for such local groups to go into collaboration with foreign construction companies. The Ministry of Highways should facilitate means to obtain the technology needed and the skills necessary for construction contractors, making use of ICTAD. The Government should also help the private sector to locate quarries and obtain the licences and other statutory requirements to fast track the material supplies. In the event of failure in this respect, and if machinery is imported, for instance, the aggregate will not be available when needed. Sri Lanka must not have an arbitrary 100-metre zone for non-construction along her coastline, Wickramasinghe said. Rather, the Coast Conservation Department must study the worst hit areas by the tsunami and in such places strictly enforce the 100-metre non- construction zone. In safer areas, townships should be designed to house a 2,000 to 3,000 population. Such new towns should provide all infrastructure, including those of social necessity. Such townships of 300 to 400 acres in extent within the 100 metre zone should be further protected with structurally sound buildings, which could withstand a tsunami of the future. Such buildings should be built on stilts, leaving the bottom floor open. However, government should allow only planned townships and not permit ad hoc development along the nation's coastline. With this concept the problem of land scarcity, the preferred local location of the fishermen and other people could be solved. Where 3,000 to 4,000 houses are to be built, the government should dissuade the use of traditional material as sand, clay for making bricks and timber, and prevent an environmental catastrophe. Precast material should be used for the construction of walls, floors, beams, purlins, rafters and reapers, Wickramasinghe said. |
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