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Bandung council probes suspected graft in city water project
The project was put into abeyance after the contractor in charge of the project failed to complete the construction on schedule in January.
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A photo illustration of a clean water plant in West Java
(Shutterstock.com/File)
T
he Bandung Regional Legislative Council (DPRD Bandung) in West Java is scrutinizing city-owned water company PDAM Tirtawening following the halting of a water installation project worth Rp 63 billion (US$ 4.3 million) in Cikalong.
The project was put into abeyance after the contractor in charge of the project failed to complete the construction on schedule in January.
With only 77 percent of the construction completed by the time of the deadline, Tirtawening terminated its contract with the construction company, raising allegations about the misuse of public funds.
"There seems to be something wrong with the [budget planning]. This shouldn't have happened. We haven't thoroughly investigated the case, but we will in order that the project can be fully completed," DPRD Bandung's Commission B member Nenden Sukaesih said at the water company headquarters in Bandung as quoted by kompas.com.
The DPRD Bandung also urged Tirtawening to complete the project soon.
Nenden alleged that the company's inability to complete the project was caused by circumstances beyond its control.
"They said they couldn't meet the deadline because of weather reasons. There may have been other issues not included in the budget plan that they had to deal with," she said.
Tirtawening director Sonny Salimi said his company had only paid the contractor 65 percent of the contract value because of the unfinished construction.
He said the company would comply with the DPRD Bandung investigation. (ars)
