At last. Indigenous construction companies finally appear to appreciate the cliché that ‘together we win, alone we fall’.
For quite some time now, there has been mounting discord the Basotho companies that felt marginalised from huge government projects in favour of expatriate companies, particularly those of Chinese origin.
And in a clear demonstration of the desire to make their own destiny and fight this dominance of their foreign counterparts, Basotho-owned construction companies have formed the Association of Lesotho Construction Companies – an organisation that they hope will help stand up against alleged injustices and to advance their interests.
The association was formed to address structural problems by engaging with policy makers to ensure mechanisms are put in place to ensure policies are promulgated by law, then implemented and that monitoring mechanisms are put in place to ensure implementation and the subsequent benefit to Basotho.
It aims to address systemic challenges of the build environment industry and part of doing that is advocating for the promulgation of certain accountability mechanisms. Among others, the association advocates for the passage of the standards of good practices in the execution of construction work.
As a member of the association says, “The competition has had adverse effects as these Chinese firms have the advantage of size and back up from the Chinese government. Their willingness to employ underhanded business practices as well means that Basotho firms are undercut on issues like pricing.”
Quite lofty ambitions. But let’s wait for the day the Chinese companies destabilises the association by buying some of its members.
Only time will tell.
