The Autonomous Bougainville Government’s Technical Services Department has warned road contractors to ensure that work is properly completed.
Department Secretary, Bernard Tzilu, told EMTV News that contractual obligations must be fulfilled and failure in doing so will result on the non-release of the retention sum.
Tzilu was responding to questions raised by EMTV News as to what happens when there are defects on the road, after the contractor leaves.
He said that some of the policies were tightened up to ensure road infrastructure will last for years.
“It’s 10 per cent of the contract value and we have 12 months maintenance or guarantee period where there is any defects like on the road, that contractor has the responsibility to rectify all the defects,” he said.
Once the Buka Ring Road is complete the Practical Completion Certification will be signed for the maintenance period of 12 months, which is a part of contractual obligations.
“And the contractor is liable for any defects. And once we certify that there is nothing that has gone wrong within that period, than the contractor can claim, for the release of the retention sum,” Tzilu said.
He also issued a warning to contractors, failure to rectify defects or faults will result in contracts terminated and be payments made to other contractors based on their retention sum.
“And we can get another contractor to come and fix it and we pay it out from the contractor’s retention sum,” Tzilu said.
Tzilu said that it was about time that standards were followed, including Occupational Health and Safety, so roads can last for years without defects or faults.
