Gräper says that in a first reaction the message that the Herepoort consortium has partially halted work on the southern ring road. A few hours later, Gräper sends a more elaborate response stating that Herepoort can do this.
‘As long as they hit the milestones’
“The contractor has the right to adjust his own schedule, as long as they reach the milestones,” says Gräper. ‘As long as the discussions about the settlement agreement are being held, I cannot make any further announcements about it.’
Gräper is referring to the talks that have been going on since the ‘Outline agreement’ concluded by the province and Herepoort last summer. That agreement will include how the financial pain resulting from years of delay in the construction of the Ring Road will be distributed. A settlement agreement would already be in place in September, but discussions about the details of the details are still ongoing.
Emergency debate
Meanwhile, within two hours of the news, the opposition parties have jointly decided that they want an emergency debate. Forum for Democracy, SP, Groninger Belang, PVV, Party for the North, Party for the Animals and 50 Plus want clarification from Gräper about this step by the contractor.
“You could see this coming,” is the first reaction of these opposition parties. “It is again confirmed what I have been calling for some time”, says Ton van Kesteren (PVV). ‘I was laughed at for a long time, but this step by the contractor confirms that I am right.’
Member of Parliament Daniël Osseweijer (Forum for Democracy): ‘The contractor is in a reasonably powerful position, he can stop the work. A lot of things go wrong and there will soon be a serious financial blow. ‘
‘Worrying’
The coalition parties GroenLinks, PvdA and VVD say in an initial reaction that they find the situation mainly ‘worrisome’. “This seems worrisome,” says GroenLinks foreman Hendri Meendering. His colleague Pascal Roemers (PvdA) speaks the same words. VVD Member of Parliament Nico Bakker thinks it is a ‘strange move’ by the contractor.
The three parties also want to wait for the explanation of Commissioner Fleur Gräper before they react further.
Also read:
– Southern ring road contractor is increasing pressure: work has been partly halted
– Full opposition critical of provincial policy: ‘It is disappointing’
– Everything about the southern ring road
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