Financial compensation for lands, survey and mapping required by the donor are the main setbacks which bottlenecked for several years the construction of the new wider cross island road from Tanugamanono to Siumu.
But this week, the project is about to proceed with Government awarding the multi-million tala contract to a Chinese contractor, according to Savali reports.
Estimated to be in the range of $15 million tala, awarding the contract which was recommended by the Tenders Board as the most qualified and suitable bidder for the job has prompted Cabinet to initiate processes to create a level playing for local contractors and companies.
“It’s a long standing issue,” says Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa.
“Our local companies and contractors are handicapped to meet some of the contract requirements and Cabinet has tasked the Ministry of Finance to submit recommendations on how these shortcomings can be addressed,” she added.
The Prime Minister recommended for local contractors to consider the Joint Bid Option to level the playing field but mindful that the final decision is with the contractors and not Government.
The project is expected to take 12 to 18 months to be completed with construction to start in the coming weeks.
SOURCE: SAVALI
