The ongoing saga of the Paphos-Polis road project has hit yet another stumbling block, as the focus shifts to the contractors involved. The Greek firm Aktor, previously known as Intrakat, has successfully blocked the government’s initiative to advance a new tender process until the appeal regarding their contract termination is resolved.
On Friday, the Tenders Review Authority granted Aktor a stay, accepting their request to suspend the tender procedure entirely. This decision has significant implications for the construction of the first phase of the road, which aims to connect Paphos and Polis Chrysochous.
Paphos-polis road: Contractor’s Legal Battle
Aktor is currently pursuing over €35 million in damages through the courts after the public works department terminated their contract in November of the previous year. The termination was justified by the department, citing “significant and unjustified delays” on the contractor’s part. Despite multiple reminders and warnings over an extended period, Aktor allegedly failed to rectify the delays, with even tasks initiated in the eight months leading up to the termination showing little progress.
Government’s Tender Announcement
The government had previously moved ahead with announcing a new tender for the road’s first phase, with plans published in the Official Gazette on August 8. This phase is designed to connect the village of Ayia Marinouda, near Paphos, to Stroumbi, a midpoint between the two endpoints, covering approximately 15.5 kilometres.
Plans for the road include two lanes of traffic and a crawler lane where necessary, with future provisions for construction of additional lanes. The estimated cost for this tender stands at €90.2 million plus VAT, with an anticipated completion timeline of 30 months from the awarding of the contract.
Aktor’s Appeal and Its Implications
The recent decision by the Tenders Review Authority has thrown the project back into uncertainty. Aktor is contesting the terms of the new tender, arguing that they breach principles of transparency and equal treatment. The authority has mandated that the public works department provide a detailed report by August 28, followed by submissions from Aktor and the tenders board in September and October, respectively. A hearing is expected to follow these submissions, prolonging the resolution of this complex situation.
The road project has been mired in challenges for decades, and the current developments only add to the uncertainty. With the tender now frozen indefinitely, stakeholders will be watching how this legal battle unfolds and what it means for the future of the Paphos-Polis road.
