KOTA KINABALU:Sabah Builders Association (SBA) fully support the government’s Movement Control Order (MCO) effective from 18th to 31st March 2020 to contain the spread of Covid 19 virus but express their concern over the impact of MCO extension to
14th April 2020 to the construction industry.

ISBA president Lou Chi Nam in a statement  to said due to  the short MCO notice, many project sites were closed with minimal preparation of site safety and health for the temporary works such as excavation pits, shoring, scaffolding, form works, reinforced steel bars etc.

He said, the prolonged delay to convert the temporary works to permanent works will not only pose safety hazards to the public but will also cause extensive damages to the affected works resulting in heavy financial losses.

“Many contractors who lack the financial reserves will not be able to sustain the
extra financial burden of having to pay both the workers wages and the extra cost of rectifying the damaged works during this difficult period,” he opined.

The works executed in February and March 2020 for both public and private sector projects have yet to be certified by the consultants, many have not been evaluated on site by the consultants due to the sudden MCO announcement.

“SBA appeal to the government to allow the Consultant and Contractor personnel to visit the construction sites to conduct the joint work progress evaluation so as to enable the Consultants to issue the progress
valuation certificates and the Employers can release payment to the Contractors during the MCO period.”

It will ease the Contractors’ financial burden to pay the workers wages and the suppliers for the building materials, he stated.

”  The constructiones are generally in the open. Hence, other than the confined space works which shall be stopped, there is minimal risk of virus spreading within the open space site as long as the standard precautionary action such as taking workers body temperature upon entering and leaving the site, keeping the minimum distance, washing their hand diligently. The risk of virus spreading could be much higher if the workers are allowed to move freely into the community,” he elaborated.

“Many of the construction workers are on daily pay. These workers will have no income during the prolonged period of work stoppage and may lead to social problems.”

SBA look forward to government stimulus packages, such as subsidies for the workers’ wages, financial assistance to employers for loss of income, to help the construction
players to overcome their financial hardship during this difficult and uncertain time.-pr/BNN