Some contractors said to be manipulating variation orders

Monitoring bodies make observations against MPW

KUWAIT CITY, June 2: Al-Shahed daily in a recent survey revealed that contractors have been manipulating variation orders and the actual dates of handing over projects to some ministries, including the Ministry of Public Works.

It revealed that concerned monitoring bodies have issued some observations against the Ministry of Public Works (MPW) concerning the execution and furnishing of Public Authority for Minor Affairs (PAMA) building, which was supposed to be handed over on March 3, 2015.

It stated the contractor violated terms and conditions of the contract, while the ministry reduced the fine for delaying the project from 10 percent of the total value of the contract to 4.2 percent, indicating a difference of KD 299,000.

It noted violations committed by the ministry include the establishment and maintenance of crossroads on the Sixth and Seventh Ring Roads at a total cost of KD 17.439 million.

The survey showed that contractors involved in the major violations have filed court cases against the Ministry of Public Works and credits deposited could not cover their debts. The difference between credits and debts of the contractors is KD 1.423 million.

It also pointed to major violations by the consultancy firms with regard to delay in evaluation of designs and supervision of execution of works and infrastructure development in Yarmouk, Surra and Qurtoba, covering establishment and maintenance of roads and rain water channels, and other services at coastal areas worth KD 9.938 million.