In 2018, five contracts of rehabilitation of roads from external sources renounced in Moldova

Chisinau, 05 October /MOLDPRES/ – During 2018, there were renounced 05 contracts for rehabilitation of roads financed from external sources. As a result, the state recovered over €16 mln, money that will continue to be used for the construction of national roads. The info was presented, on Friday, 04 October, by the General Director of the State Road Administration (ASD), Gheorghe Curmei.

Specifically, the amount of €5.45 million was recovered from the advance payment guarantees, while another sum of €10.7 mln was collected from the bank guarantees of good execution. "The five contracts were renounced until the deadline of execution of works, due to the fact that contractors did not honour their liabilities," said the head of ASD.

Also, the companies that have committed themselves to carry out the repair works of the roads from external sources have been applied delay penalties in the total of €7.59 mln. Over €3 mln of this amount has already reached the ASD accounts, which is over 40 per cent.

Gheorghe Curmei presented some info on all roads which are currently being repaired from external sources, referring in particular to deadline for completing of works, money allocated and reported issues.

Regarding the Chisinau – Ungheni – Sculeni road, the economic agent from Azerbaijan, that is executing the works on the Vatra – Straseni and Bahmut – Ungheni sectors, and which has admitted delays of about 03 years, has given assurances that the sectors will be put into operation until at the end of 2019. “The penalties are calculated in the maximum value, both those of delay and those for non – observance of the road safety. ASD is ready to annul these contracts at any time, but given the progress we have, we are in a situation where we have to consider very well. If we quit the contract now, we are left with open holes on the road," said Gheorghe Curmei.

At present, Moldova has signed several financing agreements on road repair works with the European Investment Bank (EIB) in the amount of €255 mln, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), worth €247 mln and EU. amounting up to €28.2 mln. Almost half of the total amount allocated by external partners has already been utilised.