–
–
Violeta Komitova
–
BGN 90 million were spent on the repair of the Trakia highway in the section between Chirpan and Stara Zagora last year, but most of these funds did not go to these repairs, said the Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Violeta Komitova in an interview. for television Bulgaria on Air, announced the press center of the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works.
Four companies took part in the renovation, one of which is the Black Sea Motorways, and all of them received advances, it became clear from the words of the Minister. BGN 30 million of them were for this company.
“It is the workers of” Black Sea Motorways “who are currently claiming a surcharge of BGN 36 million, but our budget does not provide for targeted funds for the repair of the highway,” Komitova added, explaining that the funds that were determined were spent.
However, the government is considering options to pay the amounts due to the workers, even in smaller amounts, the regional minister explained.
Violeta Komitova added that the company and the workers have fallen victim to a contract in which on one side stands the former head of the state company “Motorways” Stoyan Belichev, and on the other – the head of “Black Sea Motorways”, and asked why people are not looking the money from them.
She was adamant that the workers have the right to demand what they have made, and if they are not provided with this money, they can get it in court by condemning the state-owned company Avtomagistrali.
Komitova also commented that the repair of this section was not urgent, because there has been a speed limit for 4 years and provided that the funds were not provided, it could have been postponed, BTA reports.
The Minister also refuted the allegations of the former Deputy Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Nikolay Nankov that the contract is a framework, emphasizing that it has fixed parameters for work, deadlines and exact price.
In addition, there are several annexes to the contract to extend the terms, and the advances they have received are described.
Regarding the accumulated debts to the companies for current repair and maintenance of the national roads, architect Komitova again reminded that at the end of last year for this purpose in the budget of RIA were provided only about 380 million BGN for 2021, and the previous the government has contracted activities for BGN 1.5 billion without this money being actually provided.
“Why, when there was no money, they sent people to dig,” the minister asked again, adding that if no funds were provided, the contracts for these repairs should not have been signed.
Minister Komitova was adamant that she did not stop any construction, as such attempts are being made, because, in her opinion, “the most expensive construction is the unfinished construction”.
“I will make every effort to complete what has been started,” Komitova said. She explained that money will be sought through next year’s budget and hopes to find it, but it will take time.
For the Hemus highway, millions have also been distributed in advance for construction, for the supply of materials, for the rental of equipment, which will take place in years to come, it became clear from the words of architect Komitova. In total they amount to over BGN 1 billion and these advance payments are secured by insurance and not by bank guarantees.
“I am not aware that in such a business environment the allocation of huge funds will be covered in the event of insurance damage,” he said, adding that unfortunately there is no document to ensure that companies that receive these advances will not go bankrupt. in the following years.
The Minister expressed hope that there will be no such bankruptcies, the construction activities of Hemus Motorway will be completed and these funds will not have to be sought from insurance companies. Because otherwise there will be huge damage not only to companies but also to the state.
– .
