CONSTRUCTION on the new Guadalcanal Provincial headquarter in Bahai, East Honiara came to a halt on Thursday after the province failed to settle its outstanding bill worth $92, 000 with the contractor.
As a result workers from M.S Finjay building construction company ceased work last week.
Deputy Director of the construction company Lence Tangosia claimed, the province owed them in overdue payment close to $92,000.
He also warned, if nothing is settled on time, the building will be sold.
The building is being funded by the national government.
On Thursday, the contractor closed the entrance gate with work being halted.
Mr Tangosia claimed, the payment was seven months overdue.
“Guadalcanal province has never paid us over the past seven months which affected our 40 employees,” Mr Tangosia said.
“At the beginning of this year we have a good understanding with the provincial government about this project and everything has been going on well.
“But after wesubmit our claims for payment to the executive, the executive refuses to pay us which affects our workers and their families.”
The deputy director said, they decided to put on hold all construction work until the payment is settled.
“I call on the Guadalcanal province to fast-track the payment to settle their dues.
“If nothing comes through on time, the next option is to sell this building to Asians because we are tired of false promises.”
A spokesperson for the Guadalcanal Provincial government who declined to be named said last Thursday, the outstanding payment will be settled.
He explained the delay is with at the Ministry of Finance which supposed to release the payment.
“The payment will be settled once the payment is released from the Ministry of Finance,” the top official within the Government provincial government said.
By DENVER NEWTER
