The Riau Islands (Kepri) administration was worried that legal problems would arise in several government development projects on Dompak Island whose completion had reached only 60 pct, member of Commission III of Kepri DPRD Hotman Hutapea said in Tanjungpinang on Thursday.
"We suggested that the projects be continued after the Kepri administration managed to secure a firm legal umbrella," he said.
The projects only 60 pct completed including the first bridge linking Tanjungpinang and Dompak Island, and a Malayan Traditional Institute building, while some other projects nearing completion like the Kepri government office, a mosque, Kepri DPRD office, second and third bridges, the Raja Ali Haji Maritime University campus, and the Kepri hospital, and the Kepri Hospital.
The development of the Kepri administration project on Dompka Island cost Rp1.3 trillion, and started to be built in 2007 and stopped on August 19, 2010. The development of the project had been extended as almost the entire project had not been completed until the set time of completion.
"We have asked the government to be careful in handling the first bridge and the government office. We wish for a continuation of building the projects to avoid material loss to the government and people," he said.
The government and Kepri legislative assembly are in a dilematic condition in handling the first bridge and office building. Under the law, the government will impose a sanction in the form of termination of working contract with the company working on the projects.
The termination of a contract will cause a burden to the budget and take too much time, because the government needs to auction the projects. The new company which won the auction will also redesign the first bridge and government office, and it would take a long time to complete the projects.
In the meantime, if the projects are still built by the same old company, such government policy would not be in accordance with the regulations, except if the policy has the approval of the central government and legal authorities.
The completion of the projects by the old company could save the budget and time, because the company has only to continue its work. But the government would still impose an administrative sanction on the company, as it failed to carry out its duty in accordance with the regulation.
"Personally I agree if the old same company resumed the building of the first bridge and the government office building, because it would save a lot of money and time. But the government needs a legal umbrella and approval of the law enforcement authorities before continuing with the projects," he said. (*)
Editor: Kunto Wibisono
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
