ISLAMABAD
Former President of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) Dr. Shahid Rasheed Butt on Sunday said construction activities have been started in some parts of Punjab and it will gain momentum across the country after floodwater subsides but government has to stop mafia from minting illegal profits.
Large-scale construction activities will begin in the country for the construction and repair of destroyed structures, bridges, dams, schools, shops and houses, he said.
Shahid Rasheed Butt said that large quantities of steel bars, cement, and other construction materials will be required for the purpose and the government should keep an eye on the prices.
He said that if the cement and steel mafia is allowed to take advantage of the opportunity, the rehabilitation will be delayed and the whole process will also become expensive.
The business leader said that apart from steel and cement, there is a need to control the price of other items including aluminium, fibre and wood etc.
The government should try to stop profiteers and if it cannot do so, then the prices should be moderated by ordering construction materials from neighbouring countries, he maintained that, What millions of victims had earned all their lives were washed away or buried under the rubble of their houses; millions of small businesses suffered which need the support of the government.
Three hundred thousand houses have been swept away in the flood as the construction activities start, he continued, the demand for cement is likely to increase by seven lakh tonnes and the demand for steel bars up to eight lakh tonnes.
He said that the budget for health, education and other social sectors should be increased and a plan should be made for the rehabilitation of small businesses.
