Contractors launch their own association |26 February 2009

Help is available through the formation of a Contractors and Maintenance Association, which will negotiate with suppliers of materials for projects.

The association was officially launched on Saturday evening at the Anse Etoile community centre, in the presence of its members as well as their relatives and friends.

The chairman of the newly formed association, Ralph Ernesta, said its main aim is to keep both the contractors and their clients happy.

“As we will be negotiating with those who sell us the materials we need to finish projects, we hope to keep the prices low enough to keep both parties happy,” he said.

He said they decided to set up the association to help local contractors who were having problems with the rising cost of materials needed for construction, as well as with certain quality assurance issues they have been discussing with the National Consumers Forum.

Mr Ernesta said he hopes that through the right dialogue the association can sort out these problems.

At the moment it has eight members, who are all involved in the trade – with Andrew Padayachy as vice-chairman, Andrea Mounac as secretary and Roy Delorie as treasurer.

Raynold Benoiton, Donald Monaie, Francois Mederic and Gordon Payet are all ordinary members of the association.

There is a fee of R500 the member contractors must pay annually, as well as a R300 contribution they have to make every month.

Mr Ernesta said the money is used to run the association’s office, which will bring benefits to all its members.