Local councils are now required to have a contract management service, the Parliamentary Secretariat for Local Government and Communities has said.

Following a survey which was conducted by the Local Government Division, it has been determined that the majority of local councils on Malta and Gozo do not have a contract management service.

The Secretariat said that for this purpose a directive requiring the engagement of a contract manager in all local councils has been issued.

The main role of a contract manager is to supervise the contract signed between a contractor and a local council in order to ensure that the works or services given by the contractor are as stipulated in the contract.

The Secretariat explained that the contract manager must also monitor the work while it is taking place and advise local councils about any technical issues related to the contract.

“Through the service of a contract manager, there will not be any situation in which a contractor provides a service which is considered to be below a certain standard.”

Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government and Communities Silvio Parnis has said that, in order for the works and services carried out in localities through contracts to be operated in accordance with the specifications stipulated by the same contracts so that the best possible service is offered, the contract management service is very important.

He also said that the executive secretaries are responsible for ensuring that payments are correct and checked.

“Furthermore, before the local council approves such payments, the work must be certified to have been done properly,” Parliamentary Secretary Parnis said. “This can only occur if there is a contract manager certifying the work.”

The Parliamentary Secretary concluded by saying that this will undoubtedly lead to better and cleaner localities, which will ultimately benefit the residents.

Photo: DOI/Jeremy Wonnacott

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