(1) Prime Minister [Frank Bainimarama] on his visit for the Bukuya/Nubutautau road opening on the 29th January 2011 directed that the road works be extended to link into Nagatagata including other roads managed by the contract
(2) Accommodating the Prime Minister’s directive, our Project Management Engineer instructed that works is continued whilst the formality in obtaining the “Variation Order (VO)” is arranged
(3) The VO1 was awarded on 7th September 2011 stating a total 20km of road between Nubutautau to Nagatagata to be upgraded with a volume of 18,000 m3 of pavement material to be supplied and delivered. Due to VO1, the contract sum increased to $8,626,670.72
(4) The new contract sum did not cater for day works provision to accommodate mechanical support to be utilised in the road bed preparation and drainage establishment as in 3.4 above. This section of road is incomparable with the previous one’s as it is basically a pilot cut now covered with shrubs and without an established drainage system
(5) A report was submitted by the Divisional Engineer Roads to the Directorate’s office revealing the effect
(6) Minister for Works [Timoci Natuva] on his visit on the 1st September 2011 then further directed that road be widened with alignment and gradient improvement to accommodate buses as the government is intending to approve the public buses service in the area
Fijileaks Editor: From FICAC File
Tender No: DTBW 02/07
Project: Supply & Delivery of Pavement Materials for Rural Roads
Location: Bukuya Roads to Nagatagata
1. Introduction
This is in regards to the assignment given by the DNR compile a report for our submission to the Tenders Board ascertaining works done and so to secure their approval enabling its completion by end of this year.
2. Objective
The purpose of this report is to:
i. Disclose the actual deed undertaken with its sequence
ii. Determine any imprecision
iii. Recommend a way forward.
3. Brief on actual deed undertaken
3.1 The contract commencement date was 27th October 2008 after TFJan Bulldozing Company was awarded the contract for the “supply and delivery of pavement materials for rural roads” on Bukuya Nubutautau roads by the Tenders Board. The total contract sum initially awarded was $2,819,480.00 and the completion date to be 31st December 2010.
3.2 The arrangement from the start was, DNR to prepare the road bed to ensure proper cross fall and established the drainage system prior to supply and deliver of material on the road bed as obligatory by the contractor, afterwards DNR will then evenly spread and compact.
3.3 DNR was struggling to accomplish its obligation as in 3.2 above purely because of the lack in our mechanical provisions and support.
3.4 Our incapability to supply the mechanical support required resulted in the decision for the contractor to also undertake DNR’s role as in 3.2 above and to be accommodated within the contract dayworks provision. That was essential to minimise the contractor’s claim on the delays that directly resulted from our inability to perform our role effectively.
3.5 On the (date???) the completion date was extended to 15th September 2011 due to delays and wet weather which is out of the contractor’s control.
3.6 Prime Minister on his visit for the Bukuya/Nubutautau road opening on the 29th January 2011 directed that the road works be extended to link into Nagatagata including other roads managed by the contract.
3.7. Accommodating the Prime Minister’s directive, our Project Management Engineer instructed that works is continued whilst the formality in obtaining the “Variation Order (VO)” is arranged.
3.8 The VO1 was awarded on 7th September 2011 stating a total 20km of road between Nubutautau to Nagatagata to be upgraded with a volume of 18,000 m3 of pavement material to be supplied and delivered. Due to VO1, the contract sum increased to $8,626,670.72.
3.9 The new contract sum did not cater for dayworks provision to accommodate mechanical support to be utilised in the road bed preparation and drainage establishment as in 3.4 above. This section of road is incomparable with the previous one’s as it is basically a pilot cut now covered with shrubs and without an established drainage system. A report was submitted by the Divisional Engineer Roads to the Directorate’s office revealing the effect.
3.10 Minister for Works on his visit on the 1st September 2011 then further directed that road be widened with alignment and gradient improvement to accommodate buses as the government is intending to approve the public buses service in the area.
3.11 The Project Management Engineer instructed that works is continued but the formality in obtaining the “Variation Order (VO)” was not arranged as in 3.7 above.
4. Imprecision transpired
4.1 DNR’s incapability to consistently provide for the mechanical support that resulted in the contractor to take over the preparation of road bed, drainage, spreading and compaction of the road materials. These changes the contract scope of work and the contract should have been amended accordingly.
4.2 The change in the contract management staff with no proper handing over and commitment from our side which resulted in the delays of obtaining approvals whilst the contractor continued in good faith.
4.3 Poor documentation coupled with 4.2 above made us struggling to keep track of records.
5. Physical progressed
The work core is physically completed but with the contactors’ payment of $421,414.32 pending and is overdue awaiting approval.
The works that is presently undertaken ensuring that all infrastructures are in place confirming its stability includes:
I. Supply, deliver, spread and compact road materials with a total volume of 9,960m3 which is the balance of the quantum approved in the VO1.
II. Supply and deliver additional 10,000m3 to be stockpiled for maintenance.
III. Widening for the last 1 km to accommodate directive as in 3.10 above.
IV. To lay at least 19 nos. culverts crossing and headwalls. The culverts have been purchased and are in the process of delivering.
V. Land slips mitigation at different locations for an approximate total length of 500 meters.
The total fund required to offset all unpaid dues to the contractor plus cost of works outstanding is $ 2,250,507.12. The BOQ for the outstanding works is attached.
6. Recommendation
It is recommended that:
1. Approval is to be granted for the payment of $421,414.32 for the services that has been delivered and its payment is pending with our accountants.
2. Approval is to be granted for the release of $ 2,250,507.12 to ensure that the project is fully completed.
3. Approval is granted for the extension of time to 31 December 2011 to cater for the variations that has already being issued and the extra works that was demanded [Fijileaks: demanded by Bainimarama and Natuva].
Prepared by:
P.Tuinona – Projects Resident Engineer
Tender No: DTBW 02/07
Project: Supply & Delivery of Pavement Materials for Rural Roads
Location: Bukuya Roads to Nagatagata
1. Introduction
This is in regards to the assignment given by the DNR compile a report for our submission to the Tenders Board ascertaining works done and so to secure their approval enabling its completion by end of this year.
2. Objective
The purpose of this report is to:
i. Disclose the actual deed undertaken with its sequence
ii. Determine any imprecision
iii. Recommend a way forward.
3. Brief on actual deed undertaken
3.1 The contract commencement date was 27th October 2008 after TFJan Bulldozing Company was awarded the contract for the “supply and delivery of pavement materials for rural roads” on Bukuya Nubutautau roads by the Tenders Board. The total contract sum initially awarded was $2,819,480.00 and the completion date to be 31st December 2010.
3.2 The arrangement from the start was, DNR to prepare the road bed to ensure proper cross fall and established the drainage system prior to supply and deliver of material on the road bed as obligatory by the contractor, afterwards DNR will then evenly spread and compact.
3.3 DNR was struggling to accomplish its obligation as in 3.2 above purely because of the lack in our mechanical provisions and support.
3.4 Our incapability to supply the mechanical support required resulted in the decision for the contractor to also undertake DNR’s role as in 3.2 above and to be accommodated within the contract dayworks provision. That was essential to minimise the contractor’s claim on the delays that directly resulted from our inability to perform our role effectively.
3.5 On the (date???) the completion date was extended to 15th September 2011 due to delays and wet weather which is out of the contractor’s control.
3.6 Prime Minister on his visit for the Bukuya/Nubutautau road opening on the 29th January 2011 directed that the road works be extended to link into Nagatagata including other roads managed by the contract.
3.7. Accommodating the Prime Minister’s directive, our Project Management Engineer instructed that works is continued whilst the formality in obtaining the “Variation Order (VO)” is arranged.
3.8 The VO1 was awarded on 7th September 2011 stating a total 20km of road between Nubutautau to Nagatagata to be upgraded with a volume of 18,000 m3 of pavement material to be supplied and delivered. Due to VO1, the contract sum increased to $8,626,670.72.
3.9 The new contract sum did not cater for dayworks provision to accommodate mechanical support to be utilised in the road bed preparation and drainage establishment as in 3.4 above. This section of road is incomparable with the previous one’s as it is basically a pilot cut now covered with shrubs and without an established drainage system. A report was submitted by the Divisional Engineer Roads to the Directorate’s office revealing the effect.
3.10 Minister for Works on his visit on the 1st September 2011 then further directed that road be widened with alignment and gradient improvement to accommodate buses as the government is intending to approve the public buses service in the area.
3.11 The Project Management Engineer instructed that works is continued but the formality in obtaining the “Variation Order (VO)” was not arranged as in 3.7 above.
4. Imprecision transpired
4.1 DNR’s incapability to consistently provide for the mechanical support that resulted in the contractor to take over the preparation of road bed, drainage, spreading and compaction of the road materials. These changes the contract scope of work and the contract should have been amended accordingly.
4.2 The change in the contract management staff with no proper handing over and commitment from our side which resulted in the delays of obtaining approvals whilst the contractor continued in good faith.
4.3 Poor documentation coupled with 4.2 above made us struggling to keep track of records.
5. Physical progressed
The work core is physically completed but with the contactors’ payment of $421,414.32 pending and is overdue awaiting approval.
The works that is presently undertaken ensuring that all infrastructures are in place confirming its stability includes:
I. Supply, deliver, spread and compact road materials with a total volume of 9,960m3 which is the balance of the quantum approved in the VO1.
II. Supply and deliver additional 10,000m3 to be stockpiled for maintenance.
III. Widening for the last 1 km to accommodate directive as in 3.10 above.
IV. To lay at least 19 nos. culverts crossing and headwalls. The culverts have been purchased and are in the process of delivering.
V. Land slips mitigation at different locations for an approximate total length of 500 meters.
The total fund required to offset all unpaid dues to the contractor plus cost of works outstanding is $ 2,250,507.12. The BOQ for the outstanding works is attached.
6. Recommendation
It is recommended that:
1. Approval is to be granted for the payment of $421,414.32 for the services that has been delivered and its payment is pending with our accountants.
2. Approval is to be granted for the release of $ 2,250,507.12 to ensure that the project is fully completed.
3. Approval is granted for the extension of time to 31 December 2011 to cater for the variations that has already being issued and the extra works that was demanded [Fijileaks: demanded by Bainimarama and Natuva].
Prepared by:
P.Tuinona – Projects Resident Engineer
One FICAC witness Esala Cagimaicama, a former leading hand for DNR (Department of National Roads) when asked in the High Court whether the engineers and compliance team actually went out to Nagatagata road to verify the works done for which the claims were made and Cagimaicama said NO. But these photos in FICAC file tell a very different story
NAGATAGATA ROAD UPGRADING BEFORE
