Maseru, Aug. 06 — The Minister of Public Works and Transport, Mr. Matjato Moteane says the government is looking for a cheaper company that would work on the master plan of the Moshoeshoe I International airport.
Mr. Moteane told the Agency in an interview that the LTE Consulting Company, which was awarded the contract for this project is expensive as it needs 33 Million and the government does not have that amount of money.
He said they want a company which could at least demand 2 or M3 Million for this project as there is too much work yet to be done for rehabilitation of the airport which is estimated to cost M800 Million.
Asked how much the government has paid LTE so far since it has already signed a contract, Mr. Moteane said the government paid the company in two instalments and has so far paid about M8.4 Million.
He said the government engaged in negotiations which are continuing with this company to reduce price but its conditions are expensive as on top of the paid M8 Million, the company wants to do other projects at the airport hence the government has no option but to look for a cheaper company.
He clarified that the government currently has M50 Million this financial year for the rehabilitation of the airport saying in the meantime they intend to do some refurbishment work at the airport of the money that has been put aside for this project.
Efforts to talk to the LTE Company regarding this matter were unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, LTE Consulting Company was contracted in June 2021 to assess the status of the airport and report on the works that needs to be done as well as estimated infrastructural budget of the actual revamp.
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