Bulgaria Short of Cash for Winter Roads Cleaning

In the end of August, it became clear that out of the 90 contracts for winter cleaning, 41 were expired, and 35 would expire in the end of 2009. Photo by BGNES

In the end of September, the funding for winter roads cleaning has not been provided yet.

Currently, there is not a single lev (Bulgarian currency) for such operations, Minister of Regional Development and Public Works, Rosen Plevneliev, said Friday.

He explained that he was to ask the Finance Ministry for BGN 25 M that will be sufficient only until the end of 2009. Last winter, the government gave BGN 35 M for road cleaning.

However, at that moment, the National Road Infrastructure Agency (NAPI)is on the edge of a bankruptcy, Plevneliev said. The agency already owes BGN 131 M for repair works and maintenance of the roads.

"Just remember a month and a half ago the former chair of the NAPI's supervisory body said claimed that the agency was financially stable and the budget deficit has been decreased from BGN 95 M to BGN 35 M", Plevneliev reminded.

69 public procurement procedures for winter roads cleaning have been initiated under the Public Procrement Law.

In the end of August, it became clear that out of the 90 contracts for winter cleaning, 41 were expired, and 35 would expire in the end of 2009.

 

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