Thursday, July 10, 2014

President Mori updates Congress on Weno Road Project status: construction could start by early August


FSMIS (July 10, 2014): In a July 9th letter to Speaker Dohsis Halbert, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) President Manny Mori updated Congress on the status of the Weno Road Phase 1 Project on the Island of Weno in Chuuk.

President Mori told Congress that the two infrastructure sector grants for the road project suspended by the Office of Insular Affairs (OIA), United States Department of the Interior, have been freed. He stated that such decision cleared the way for approximately $4.5 million of funds already available, -- remaining funds from the $26.2 million water, sewer, road and drainage phase 1 project.

President Mori stressed that the Program Management Unit (PMU) at the FSM Department of Transportation, Communication and Infrastructure, "anticipates receipt of independent cost estimates and construction schedule from Stanley Consultants before the end of the week" (week of July 7).

The President also said that upon receipt, the estimates would be sent to OIA for review, followed by the issuance of additional funds under Infrastructure Development sector for completion of the project.

"The PMU will contract with GPPC Inc, which was awarded the bid with the condition of the availability of the funds as soon as possible, using the bid already submitted and funds in hand. The total amount of GPPC bid to complete the Weno Road Phase 1 is $7,703,382. Once the remaining funds are received, a change order for the remaining work will be executed so that the project may proceed to completion. It is anticipated that work could start by early August. The period of completion of the project is 15 months."

The President's update included information received from the Director of Budget and Grants Management, Office of Insular Affairs, Mr. Tom Bussanich, provided through a July 3rd letter to FSM Secretary of TC&I, Mr. Francis Itimai.

Mr. Bussanich's letter was copied and enclosed with the update for Congress.

For further information, email fsmpio@mail.fm.

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