Pafos Live 12 October 2024
The Department of Public Works, taking into account the implementation rate of the project for the construction of the Pafos – Polis Chrysochous motorway to date, states that it is clear that it cannot be completed within the initial timetable, i.e. by the end of November 2024, while noting that it expects the project to be implemented provided that the contractor undertakes his obligations, as they derive from the contract and therefore proceed with the use of appropriate resources, machinery, materials and human resources, for the execution and completion of the project
Responding to yesterday's relevant publication on the website "Cyprus Times", the Department of Public Works states that the announcement of the project was preceded by a full environmental study (Environmental Impact Assessment Study-EIA), based on which the Department of Environment issued an opinion on the environmental impacts that will arise from the construction of the project and then specific environmental conditions were set.
As he mentions, both the environmental study and the opinion were included in the contract documents for the construction of the Pafos – Polis Chrysochous motorway, while noting that the project is carried out on the basis of a contract for design / construction.
"The responsibility for both the management of the excavated products and the required embankments is the sole responsibility of the contractor and his own study team, who must comply with the findings of the MEEP and the relevant opinion with the respective terms," he adds.
According to the relevant Department, "in regular meetings they had with the contractor's representatives since the beginning of the contract, the project supervision team on behalf of the Department of Public Works and the Management of the Department of Public Works expressed their willingness to examine any proposals of the contractor for rational management of the excavations and construction of the project in accordance with the specifications of the contract."
In two meetings held in May 2024 and July 2024, the contractor expressed an intention to submit a technical proposal for an alternative construction of embankments of the project using excavation materials that are considered unsuitable based on specifications.
"Finally," he adds, "it submitted a proposal in August 2024, which however could not be accepted, as the proposed methodology was not accompanied by standards or regulations confirming its correctness, while at the same time it raised issues of financial and time compensation for its implementation."
The Department of Public Works also mentions that "through its 146 years of experience in the construction and execution of the largest public road and construction projects in Cyprus, it handles, as in all other contracts, the contractor fairly, in accordance with the provisions of the contract documents", adding that "having said that, it maintains a supervision team on site headed by the Employer's Representative".
In addition, it adds that "this team, exercising preventive supervision, supervises and/or immediately resolves any problems that arise in the project, during the same working hours as the contractor" and notes that "at the same time, it takes all actions towards various government departments and agencies, facilitating the contractor to obtain required consents, consents, permits".
"As part of his duties, the Employer's Representative proceeds with the approval, without delay, of the contractor's individual studies and the monthly payment certificates. With its supervision team, the Department of Public Works, through these actions, assists and supports the proper and timely execution of the project. In this context, it accepted the partial submission of the project study for its approval and the corresponding execution of the works, although the contract provides for the submission of the entire project study before the start of works", continues the Department of Public Works.
It also states that "monthly meetings are held with the contractor's representatives and where actions are required on behalf of the Department of Public Works to overcome obstacles that arise, these are done rapidly", while noting that each request of the contractor is examined on a case-by-case basis by the Competent Committees for Changes and Claims (ISF and KEEA) and, where there is disagreement with the contractor regarding their decision, The amicable settlement procedure laid down in the terms of the contract shall apply. It is emphasized that such a process is already underway.
