At least 19 drainage contractors in the Northern Division have accused the government of owing them millions in payments for their work. While some contractors have received their dues, Waterways Minister Tomasi Tunabuna acknowledged that investigations are ongoing to validate the claims made by others.
“The issue has been verified whether the work claimed was actually done,” said Minister Tunabuna, who refused to specify the exact amount but noted it involved “millions of dollars.” The final figure will be contingent upon validating the completion of the contracted work, as some contractors allegedly performed additional tasks without prior approval and subsequently submitted claims for this unapproved work.
For instance, contractors hired to desilt two kilometers of drains reportedly went above and beyond, desilting four kilometers instead, seeking payment for work that was neither authorized nor included in their original contracts.
The situation is compounded by political concerns; Labour Party leader Mahendra Chaudhry stated that many contractors have been waiting for their payments for at least a year, highlighting a systemic problem of delayed contract payments across government projects due to insufficient funds.
The ramifications of unpaid contractors are significant for ongoing drainage projects in the Northern Division, which are anticipated to face major setbacks. Minister Tunabuna admitted that longstanding delays in drainage work have impacted productivity in the area, leading to complications like waterlogging as the wet season approaches.
“We have observed the benefits of the drainage projects we have been able to complete, but the current situation threatens to disrupt progress because these projects were not executed according to schedule,” he remarked, describing the timing as particularly unfortunate.
The ongoing wet season poses further challenges, making it increasingly difficult to carry on construction work once rains begin. While other divisions are reportedly performing well, the Northern Division’s circumstances remain dire, prompting the ministry to take action to improve the situation.
In addressing the root causes of these setbacks, Minister Tunabuna pointed to issues within the drainage board, which is managed by regional divisions. He expressed the need for a thorough review of completed work and potential personnel issues within the board itself.
This challenging scenario highlights the necessity for better management and fiscal oversight in government contracts to ensure timely payments and effective project execution moving forward, especially in critical infrastructure areas such as drainage.
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