Tribal government contractors from North Waziristan have strongly opposed the enforcement of E-bidding system and demanded the system should be deferred for some time to protect interest of local contractors and avoid unemployment in the tribal district.
Speaking at a news conference at Peshawar Press Club on Saturday, President of North Waziristan Government Contractors Union, Gul Naeem said that the E-bidding system had recently been introduced in the tribal district. He alleged the enforcement of new E-bidding system aims to pave a way for contractors from Punjab and Sindh, which is against the interest of local contractors.
Flanked by contractors Malik Shad Amin, Nizamuddin, Attaullah, Jehanzeb, Dawat Jan, Nazirullah, Zahid Khan, Jalil Jan and Iqbal Khan; Gul Naeem said that the internet system is not fully functional in North Waziristan, while availability of facility was impossible at regional level. He added that the people have to travel from Waziristan to Bannu to avail the internet facility, which is waste of their time and money.
On the other hand, he said that the E-bidding system has been implemented for development work in the tribal district. He said majority of North Waziristan contractors are not familiar with this new E-bidding system due to their inability to use internet, which have caused delay in completion of the most of uplift schemes.
He said that the unemployment is at peak in the tribal district. Gul Naeem said that tribesmen has lost their houses and businesses after the launch of 'Zarb-i-Azb' military operation in North Waziristan. He said that the affected tribal people and traders have not been compensated despite their vigorous efforts for the last five years.
Furthermore, he maintained the machinery and materials, meant for development works had damaged in wake of different military operations in the tribal district and they [contractors] are being faced with huge financial losses and their families were compelled on starvation and hunger.