The contracts for the construction of the Hemus motorway were signed in a manner that caused both financial and legal damage to the state. This was stated by the Minister of Regional Development and Public Works, Ivan Shishkov, while presenting information during a parliamentary hearing in the National Assembly, which focused on the current status of the contracts and the future implementation of the large-scale infrastructure project.
The minister highlighted the fact that over 1 billion BGN was distributed in the form of 35 percent advance payments, despite the fact that no construction readiness had been ensured for a significant part of the routes. In a number of cases, there were not even approved detailed development plans. "It is not logical to receive advances for things you cannot even begin to build," the minister stated firmly during his address to the deputies.
As a key problem, Shishkov also outlined the mechanism by which the state-owned company Avtomagistrali (Motorways) awarded the contracts. The company committed to securing the necessary conditions to start the construction process, including the preparation of detailed development plans and the issuance of the relevant building permits. The minister noted that the state is obliged to continue the implementation of the project, while warning that a hasty and mechanical termination of the signed contracts carries the risk of causing even greater damage.
"The Hemus motorway will be built," Shishkov assured in the plenary hall. He explained that specific steps for the project are upcoming:
- redesign of the seventh and eighth sections;
- taking actions to approve an investment project for the ninth lot.
During a visit to the Pleven region two days ago, the regional minister added that the construction of the motorway will soon proceed at an altered pace, with activities currently underway in section 4. In close cooperation with Avtomagistrali EAD and the contracted construction firms, options are being sought to have the route reach the Ruse-Veliko Tarnovo road within the next two and a half to three years.