THE Fiji Roads Authority (FRA) has confirmed that China Railway No.5 Engineering Group Fiji Co Ltd (CR5) has been awarded the contract to upgrade the road networks in the Central, Western and Northern divisions.
FRA chief executive officer Jonathan Moore confirmed this yesterday, saying that Fulton Hogan Hiways (FHH) had failed to meet the requirements. Mr Moore said as a result, the cost of the project that the group would embark on in the next four years was not clear at this stage.
He said FHH started the road maintenance exercise in 2013.
“This maintenance work started in 2013 and they were given a four-year period and I believe there was a one year extension granted while we organised a new contract.
“So far we did not pull out the contract from them, it was just a natural renewal of the contract so we issued a tender for contractors to fill up,” Mr Moore said.
He said the CRFG met the tender requirements.
Mr Moore also clarified that the new contractor was different from China Railway First Group (CRFG).
FRA had terminated a contract with China Railway First Group two months ago after they failed to deliver the highway work from nine miles to Rewa Bridge on Kings Rd.
“They are separate companies in Fiji,” Mr Moore added.
When questioned on the status of employment for local employees who are currently working under FHH, he said it would be up to the new contractors.
A few employees when questioned yesterday preferred to remain anonymous but said the news had affected them.
The group said they had been given the assurance that the new contractor would also offer them employment.
