Accra, July 5, GNA - Dr Edward Nasigirie Mahama, Flag bearer of People's National Convention (PNC) on Friday urged contractors to inject professionalism into their operations to ensure they meet the nation's infrastructural development needs. He said: "The local construction industry has much strength, which can be innovated with governmental support to meet international standards to ensure they have the capacity to perform state jobs." Dr Mahama made the call during an interaction with a cross section of some local road and building contractors in Accra to share the Party's development agenda and seek their views to improve the industry.

Some weaknesses, he identified in the construction industry as adversarial culture were, pre-occupation with lowest price without looking at the crucially important issue of best value. Dr Mahama said a PNC Government would provide the necessary leadership to address the poor image, remove governmental hiccups especially that hindered the payment of contracts executed. He pointed out that the industry would form a key delivery mechanism for a PNC Government to attain the over-all objective of improving the living standards of Ghanaians.

"Construction would be the key for PNC Government as the nation seeks to improve quality of life for everyone. It produces and maintains the schools and colleges where the youth are taught. It produces and maintains our hospitals and houses we occupy," he added. Dr Mahama said in much the same way as construction was the key to business, it provided the roads and rails for goods and services and the environment in which businesses and consumers could benefit.