WORK on the Kongulai Water Treatment Plant is expected to pick up this week.
This was clarified by the Solomon Water Authority Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in a press conference, Friday.
Solomon Star had reported last Tuesday that the project was delayed as the environmental management plan was yet to be completed.
But CEO, Ian Gooden said the environmental management plan is expected to be approved this week.
Project Manager, Brian Fatai, meanwhile highlighted that the work on the project has not been as fast as expected due to a number of factors.
He said firstly, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the imposition of international travel restrictions and global supply shortages and these have been a constraint to the construction sector.
In addition, Mr Fatai said there are a number of contractual obligations that the contractor has yet to meet such as the submission of an insurance and construction environmental and social management plan which the financier donor partners need to approve.
Mr Fatai said a contractor has been given conditional approval for the commencement of work on site and that is to do clearance and set up.
He emphasised that the project is a complex one, hence there are a number of activities that must be conducted on the site besides the manufacturing of key equipment.
In terms of the project’s anticipated accomplishment timeline, Mr Fatai said the contractor has assured that it will be completed before the Pacific Games this year. The games will be held from November to December.
By CHARLES KADAMANA
