FICAC begins investigation into the partially constructed $12.6m Lautoka Swimming Pool

FICAC is investigating the construction of the yet-to-be-finished Lautoka Swimming Pool where the cost has escalated from the budgeted amount of $2 million to $12.6 million.

The Lautoka City Council had terminated the contracts of the building contractor and the project manager earlier this year as there was a significant delay in the completion of the project.

Ba and Lautoka Special Administrator Chair, Debra Sadranu says the Ministry of Economy is now handling the construction of the swimming pool.

When questioned by Fijivillage, the Ministry of Economy says they have yet to appoint a contractor as they are discussing it with their lawyers.

NFP Leader, Professor Biman Prasad has also called on the government to launch a full investigation into the construction of the Lautoka Swimming Pool as money has been spent recklessly and this is an unforgivable waste of tax dollars.

Lautoka City Council CEO Mohammed Anees Khan had earlier said that the project is expected to be completed by March next year with new contractors.

Sadranu had earlier said the contractor for the pool and associated facilities was appointed on 18th June, 2018 and work was expected to be completed on 18th March, 2019.

The initial project was for 2 swimming pools, one competition pool, a community pool and associated facilities at an estimate cost of $2 million.

A project manager and lead consultant was appointed in 2016 and a further concept proposal was done where the new project was proposed to be built at a different location with a 10 lane competition pool, 8 lane warm up pool, a children's pool and associated facilities such as a medical room, 2 sets of public convenience, 2 sets of change rooms, a pool attendants room, storage room, a ticket booth and 2 pump rooms.

This was to be built to Olympic International Standards.

Two contractors were engaged where one was to construct the swimming pools and another to construct the buildings and associated facilities.

A new concept proposal resulted in the increase in the cost to $3 million and to a further $7.8 million from the initial estimate of $2 million.

Sadranu had said that by December 2017, the project cost had then escalated to $12.6 million and this is an increase of 630% from the initial $2 million estimate by the lead consultant.

She had said that findings had revealed that the contractor of the buildings and associated facilities were not able to complete its contract by 18th March, 2019 citing wet weather, shortage of materials, delays in progress payments by Lautoka City Council as reasons for not being able to complete their contract on time.

Sadranu had also said there were some delays in processing payments due to stringent approval and vetting processes in place to protect public funds.

She had said the Lautoka City Council gave the contractor 6 more months from 19th March last year however, they were not able to complete the project by then as well.