BA Provincial Holdings Company Ltd (BPHCL) CEO Isimeli Bose says contrary to comments made by Australian project manager Palladium, six schools being rehabilitated by BPHCL are 96 per cent complete.
Mr Bose was responding to a statement by Palladium manager project operations Tamara Green which appeared in this newspaper where she said at least four buildings on Koro Island remained “substantially incomplete” and the agreed date of completion had passed.
Ms Green also said despite numerous forms of assistance from Palladium, BPHCL had failed to provide adequate labour so that buildings could have been completed before the commencement of the school year.
She said it was unfortunate that students were forced to attend classes in buildings that were incomplete. Mr Bose said the comments made by Ms Green were not true.
“This claim by the Palladium Group is totally misleading and a gross lie as all students are occupying new classrooms,” he said.
“BPHCL demands evidence from the principal to prove this statement.
“All students are using the new facilities at Koro Island for over a year and only finishing works remain with a few teachers’ quarters.”
Mr Bose asked Ms Green if she had ever visited the project sites on Koro Island and challenged her to do so to witness the progress.
“Stop giving false information to the taxpayers and the government of Australia.
“The fact is BPHCL has completed 96 per cent plus of overall works and remaining works will be completed in coming weeks once the payment saga is resolved.”
Mr Bose was referring to claims that Palladium Group owed BPHCL $2 million in outstanding payments.
BPHCL won a $10m tender to rehabilitate six schools on Koro Island — Koro Island High School, Nabasovi District School, Nacamaki District School, Qalivakabau District School, Tuatua Nasau Primary School and Vunisava District School.
