"Dutch Experts Blame Sofia Airport Defects on Strabag"

Monday, September 27, 2004

Dutch Experts Blame Sofia Airport Defects on Strabag
Vice premier announces concession procedure for Varna, Bourgas
Bulgaria - The Pari Daily


THE RESPONSIBILITY for the defects in the asphalt pavement of the taxiways
and the new passenger terminal of the Sofia airport lies with Austria's
Strabag, the independent Dutch expert assessment shows. According to PARI
daily's sources, the parallel Austrian examination is expected to put the
blame on Dutch NACO, which is engineer, consultant and supervisor of the
project.

Strabag, however, has no interest in finding fault with NACO, because in
both cases it will not receive additional financing for the construction
works. Therefore the results of the second expert assessment are being
delayed, insiders comment.

The Austrian company requested an additional EUR 3 million citing higher
prices of the construction materials. Vice premier and transport minister
Nikolay Vassilev, however, told the PARI he would not negotiate with
Strabag. The amount asked does not exceed the 10-percent increase in costs
provided for in the contract but according to the agreement the possible
rise in expenditures shall be covered by the contractor.

Knowledgeable sources say the government will appoint a commission to
establish who is responsible for the asphalt defects. The commission will
not include representatives of the chamber of engineering consultants, the
construction chamber and the University of Architecture and Civil
Engineering, as demanded by experts, i.e. it will be appointed
administratively. According to experts, this means the decision of the
commission will depend on the incumbents' official position.

Meanwhile vice premier Nikolay Vassilev announced a remote tender for
concessionaire of Bulgaria's airports in Varna and Bourgas. The procedure
will be held in two stages: qualification and tender proper. Candidates are
required to operate at least two airports with 2 million passengers a year
or one airport with at least 5 million passengers. They must have
participated in airport investment projects exceeding EUR 100 million in
value.


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