Chinese firm challenges successors in motorway contract
PR dla Zagranicy
John Beauchamp
14.07.2011 09:45
COVEC, the Chinese firm that pulled out of building two sections of the A2 motorway in central Poland has challenged the decision to hand over a part of the project to other companies.
Chinese worker at A2 construction site in June 2011. Photo: PAP/Grzegorz Michalowski
Lawyers representing COVEC have filed a complaint with the Appeals Department of the Public Procurement Office, stating that the awarding of a commission to a second party without a tender beforehand is in breach of the law.
Earlier this month, one section of the A2 motorway near Lodz was handed over to the Eurovia and Warbud firms. According to the Rzeczpospolita daily, the Chinese are not only crying foul over the lack of a tender, but they also want financial details of the new deal to be declared publicly.
COVEC ran into problems from the outset of the original two contracts, as Polish firms that might have been employed as sub-contractors chose to boycott the company after the Chinese firm won a deal with the Polish state that undercut local competitors. COVEC later ran into financial problems.
The Polish government, working through the General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways, wants to finish both sections of the A2 in time for the Euro 2012 football championships.
Earlier this week, it was reported that the Dolnoslaskie Surowce Skalne company had been chosen to complete the other section of the motorway. (nh/jb)