PNG Sports Minister has no more comments

Justin Tkatchenko

Papua New Guinea’s Sports and Pacific Minister, Justine Tkatchenko, is tight lipped and will not comment on the awarding of a contract to the Chinese Railway Construction Engineering (CRCE) to build the 2015 Pacific Games village.

According to The National, documents reveal that the company was not on the list of top three firms to bid for the project. However, CRCE was awarded the contract at a cost of K263 million – despite scoping valuation estimates at K190 million.

New Zealand firm, Warren & Mahoney, carried out scoping and the tender evaluation committee of Central Supply and Tenders Board (CSTB) disqualified CRCE from further evaluation. They also recommended Fletcher Morobe Construction to be awarded the contract at K191 453 553.80.

The other two companies that were considered were China Habour Engineering Ltd and JIC Niugini Engineering Ltd. However, Minister Tkatchenko maintains there is “nothing sinister” about the contract and said he had already spoken to the media about it and will not comment any further.