Member of Parliament (MP) Inacio Moreira asked in parliament why the road betweenTibarandEremerahasn’t yet started to be built because a contract between the government and a company has already been signed.
MP Moreira says the Ministry of Public Works (MOP) signed the contract with São Jose Company from Spain in April 2013 but so far the work has not begun.
“[More than] Six months have passed but the road hasn’t been constructed and we don’t know why.”
The MP, from Commission E (for Infrastructure, Transport and Communication), added the government borrowed over USD$20 million from the Asia Development Bank (ADB) for the construction of the road.
He added he did not understand what the holdup is especially given the poor state of the road; full of potholes and likely to cause road accidents when it rains.
In response to this issue, the Minister of Public Works,Gastão de Sousa, said despite some initial difficulties the work has begun.
“According to the contract signed, the company should have received some advanced funds prior to starting the construction. We have given them the funds now so they have begun the work,” said Minister Sousa.
According to the contract signed between the company and the government the construction of the 28 kilometre long section of the road between Tibar and Ermera will be completed in 2015.
Minister Gastao said he is confident the Spanish company will build a good quality road given its track record and the materials used will be sourced both locally and from abroad.
