MAYOR FEARS FOR FERMOY FLOOD RELIEF PLAN
The Office of Public Works have moved to quell rumours that works on the Fermoy flood relief plan are on hold following concerned comments from Mayor Tadhg O’Donovan.
Mayor O’Donovan this week claimed that the long awaited works had once again been put back as the OPW have withdrawn the contracts for the plan.
“There is some slight confusion here,” a spokesman for the OPW told The Avondhu, “We initiated the tendering process for the Fermoy flood relief plan and in turn had received 5 offers. However we have written to those interested indicating that we would not be appointing the contract based on the prices received. We have since asked those involved to reapply and give another quote based on a new form of fixed contract we now work with,” he said.
The spokesman added that the original applicants were prepared and willing to work within the new parameters set for the scheme.
“The money is still there for the work to start and we will be pushing ahead with the plan when the contract is awarded,” the spokesman concluded.
Mayor O’Donovan remains unconvinced, however, and said that he believes the explanation is merely an excuse to afford Junior Minister of the OPW Martin Mansergh ‘political room to manoeuvre’ when delaying the work.
“Why should they have to reapply?” Mayor O’Donovan asked when told of the OPW spokesman’s comments.
“Previous correspondence indicated that all we were waiting for was approval for funding from the minister and now the Government are taking this new route to delaying the process. I cannot see a legitimate reason as to why there has been further delay to this plan.
"Commitments and deadlines have come and gone, spring, then September. The plan in Mallow is up about 18 months or more yet both plans were to start simultaneously. This move is to let the minister off the hook again. Now we are told they have to redraw the contracts. It will be something else in 2 months time,” he concluded.
Published:
Thursday 6th November 6:20pm
