The media are reporting extensively on the conflict between the General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways and the Strabag consortium, which is building a 29-kilometre section of the A4 motorway. – Strabag is demanding €14 million from us for accelerating work on the Krzyżowa–Wykroty section – Joanna Wąsiel, spokesperson for the Wrocław branch of GDDKiA, told the IstotneInformacje.pl portal. Joanna WąsielThe problem is that, according to the spokesperson, the consortium has no grounds for demanding payment for “acceleration”. There is no such provision in the contract. – We have never paid a contractor before for completing an investment ahead of schedule. We do not understand this situation – she adds.
Joanna Wąsiel emphasises that in February Strabag presented GDDKiA with a work schedule showing that the consortium still had 150 tasks to complete, including the installation of acoustic screens. She adds that until so-called safety elements appear on the Krzyżowa–Wykroty section, the construction supervision authority will not issue an occupancy permit for the route. – It is unrealistic for them to manage to do all of this in one month – she says.
The consortium rejects the allegations
– The matter is complicated. It is not the case that we are demanding money without justification – says Andrzej Szeniszewski, the contract director. He explains that, through no fault of its own, the consortium began work on the Krzyżowa–Wykroty section six months later than planned: the contract was signed in November 2006, but construction did not begin until April 2007. – We tried at all costs to meet the original deadline. Our efforts generated additional costs. We are now demanding reimbursement for them – Szeniszewski explains.
– This country needs motorways, but cooperation is necessary to build them – says Damian Kublik, the consortium’s finance director. Both Strabag representatives blame GDDKiA for the situation. Once work finally began, the contractor sought an extension to the construction completion deadline. – For a year we built without knowing whether the deadline would be extended. During that time, we removed obstacles that arose through the client’s fault [GDDKiA – przyp. red.] – Kublik notes.
According to the consortium’s finance director, someone familiar with the matter only through media reports might get the impression that Strabag wants to extort money. – We are too serious an institution for that – Kublik emphasises.
What next?
The dispute will probably end up in court. This does not change the fact that Strabag has until 10 August to complete the work. – The consortium cannot stop the works because it is bound by the contract – says Joanna Wąsiel. – We will certainly be ready – Andrzej Szeniszewski emphasises.
(GA report)