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Contractor hits back at Polye over road
project
DEPUTY Prime Minister Don Polye’s attack on
the K36 million road project in the capital city has been met with a
fiery response by the owner of the company contracted to carry out the
job.
On Monday, Mr Polye told reporters he believed the road deal was illegal
and the contract should be cancelled.
He described it as a waste of money, adding it was “stealing from
taxpayers”.
But Francis Awesa, owner of Global Construction, hit back yesterday,
describing Mr Polye as a “whinger” who did not know what he was talking
about.
Mr Awesa said Global tendered for the project in 2003 and won it as the
lowest bidder, but the National Capital District Commission shelved the
project because it didn’t have the money.
He said NCDC approached them this year to review the price, and Global
responded.
He said the contract price was justified because of substantial increase
in fuel costs, the cost of relocating water and sewerage pipes, and PNG
Power light poles, and the earthworks.
He said it was wrong to say the road was 1.8km. He said the six lanes
made the total length 10.8km which would be a landmark highway for the
city.
Mr Awesa said city residents living in Morata, Gerehu, Waigani, and
Tokarara had complained about road congestion, and the project would
ease that problem.
“I question Mr Polye’s motive for coming out like that, especially after
only two weeks ago he said national companies did not have the expertise
to undertake large scale work in PNG.
“What is he whinging about?”
He said proper tender procedures were followed and no laws were broken.
“He is questioning what school of economics Vele (governor Wari Vele)
went to come up with this project; well I ask what school of engineering
of economics Mr Polye went to in order to pump K600 million to the Sepik
provinces. What is his justification and where is his cost/benefit
analysis?”
He said Mr Polye should also justify how K27 million was spent in the
Southern Highlands province in nine months (under State of Emergency),
with a considerable amount of it going to a hire car firm.
Mr Awesa said Mr Polye was behaving like a “puppet for the Sepiks” and
challenged him to cancel the K36 million contract.
He claimed Global was not the only highlands company that Mr Polye was
against, as it was Mr Polye who blocked Wamp Nga Group’s foray into
shipping.
 
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