19 Dec 2011

Vanuatu official speaks out about lighthouse costs

11:34 am on 19 December 2011

Vanuatu's Acting Director General of Infrastructure and Public Utilities says the delay in the completion of the Pango Light House which directs ships into Port Vila Harbour, is due to inadequate planning.

Morris Kaloran says claims that the delay is due to corrupt practices by the builder are wrong.

Mr Kaloran says the Public Works Department presented a plain plan of the Light House without giving breakdowns into how much each stage would cost.

He says says the contractor has done the break downs of costs which total about US$250,000 and not US$100,000 as estimated by the Government.

Mr Kaloran says he has gone public about the costs of the project after the Prime Minister ordered the Commissioner of Police Mr Joshua Bong to investigate allegations of corruption in the project.