No surveyor has yet been contracted for the proposed Fiu Hydro Project in Malaita.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Lands & Housing Stanley Waleanisia made the clarification following social media speculation that a private surveyor has been selected.
It was alleged a private surveyor was engaged for $6 million to do the job.
It was also claimed the ministry’s survey division will do the work on behalf of the private surveyor.
But Mr Waleanisia said the survey contract has yet to be tendered out.
“Any project that is worth the amount must be tendered out,” he added.
Waleanisia admitted that the $6 million figure was just an amount raised and discussed in his ministry, but they have not finalised any amount for the survey work.
He said the project is a national commitment and is very important for Malaita province; hence his ministry will remain committed to see the project gets off the ground.
He also said they can give the job to their officers within the ministry in order to make things faster and cheaper.
Waleanisia added only issues like land dispute are slowing down the work, but they really want to see the project reach some stages by the end of this year.
By AATAI JOHN
