MALAITA premier Peter Ramohia says his executive was told Dalgro was awarded the contract to upgrade and tar-seal roads in Auki.
Mr Ramohia said Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) Moses Virivolomo relayed the news to him and his executive members during a meeting in Honiara last week.
“During the meeting, Mr Virivolomo clearly stated that the contract to upgrade and tar-seal Auki road was awarded to Dalgro Ltd,” Mr Ramohia said.
“And he said work is expected to start this month,” the premier added.
His comments came after Director of Engineering in the ministry Harry Rini denied claims Dalgro was awarded the contract.
Mr Rini told the Solomon Star as far as he knows the contract is still to be awarded by the central tender board.
Mr Rini’s explanation came after Malaita Provincial Assembly member Leslie Kwaiga posted on facebook that Dalgro was given the project.
The facebook post attracted wider criticism of the decision, with commentators saying Dalgro does not have a proven work record on the road projects it did in Honiara.
There were fears the company will do the same if it is given the project to upgrade Auki road.
Mr Ramohia told the Solomon Star Dalgro previously did some work at Aba River and a seawall at Malu’u in north Malaita.
But he said the seawall lasted only for six months.
“We needed a contractor that can do quality work on our roads here in Auki,” he said.
Mr Ramohia said they wanted the national government to select a good road contractor such as the overseas firm that did the tar-sealing of Noro-Munda road in Western Province.
By WILLIAM EKOTANI
in Auki
