Estimate cost of Central expressway overvalued: COPE

24 January 2019 04:06 pm - 29 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The cost involved in phase one and two of the Central Expressway has been overvalued in the contracts signed by the Road Development Authority (RDA) with the construction companies by Rs 38.2 billion, the report of Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) which was presented to Parliament, revealed today.

The report presented to the House by COPE Chairman, JVP Parliamentarian Sunil Handunetti had revealed that the engineers’ estimate for section one of the project was Rs 129 billion whereas the contracted value had been Rs 158 billion. The engineers estimate for section two of the project had been Rs 126.89 billion while the contracted cost had been Rs 137.1 billion.

The COPE had requested the Auditor General to conduct an audit on it in 2017 but the report had not been submitted even by March 31 2018.

It has been revealed that there is a considerable difference between engineering estimates and the contracted value. There contacted cost is 40 percent more than the engineers cost.(Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana)

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Comments - 29

Missaka Thursday, 24 January 2019 04:16 PM

These are just reports, nothing has been converted into action. Instead hoodwinking masses, carry on with the project even at whatever the cost since its at least beneficial to the future generation.

abc Thursday, 24 January 2019 08:54 PM

Actually, the "engineers’ estimate" is a way to get the least possible cost of a project. It is often unrealistically low.

expat Friday, 25 January 2019 09:33 AM

most of the time the contract values are correct. what happens is that the finished product is below standard.for eg. normal standard lane width of a freeway is 3.75 meters , the hard shoulder is 3.0 meters and inside shoulder is 2.0 meters.now im sure anyone with little knowledge on measurements will find that our southern expressway does not meet any of the above.also normally the cleaarance height of any overhead bridge over a freeway is 5.0 meters . on our katunayake expressway it is only 5.0 meters . that is where the kick backs go !!!

ANTON Thursday, 24 January 2019 04:26 PM

WERE THE OTHER EXPRESSWAYS VALUED PRECISELY ???

Jiff Thursday, 24 January 2019 05:11 PM

probably yes otherwise there should be a court case in the new special court right regarding them right?

Sharon Friday, 25 January 2019 09:11 AM

Agree with Jiff. Anton, stick to the issue in hand

BuffaloaCitizen Thursday, 24 January 2019 04:29 PM

Of course, our patriotic always fighting for the sovereignty of the nation ministers pocket money.

Bas Thursday, 24 January 2019 04:53 PM

Bids are rarely match with the Engineer's Estimate. what you have to check whether they have fallowed proper Tender procedure .

S Fernando Thursday, 24 January 2019 05:12 PM

This is why JVP donkeys should not head these committees. They don't know the difference between a estimate and a bid.

sss Thursday, 24 January 2019 06:47 PM

looks like your parents did not do a good job raising you to be a decent person

K.L. Pathirana Thursday, 24 January 2019 08:11 PM

Correct, the estimate does not include the commissions and payoffs. But the bid does .. that's the difference.

Buwa Thursday, 24 January 2019 05:13 PM

Karma is a bitch. The once who claimed that Rajapakshe pocketed 500% by building highways are caught in the same accusation they made while nothing was found on the highways Rajapakshe built.

Sirisena Thursday, 24 January 2019 07:10 PM

Look in minister Kiriella's bank accounts, you will find enough information to file 10 reports and all the money needed.

Doratupala Thursday, 24 January 2019 07:29 PM

Cost Estimate Contractors Profit Yahapaalanic Premium = Bid Price

MP Thursday, 24 January 2019 08:12 PM

This is the reality of construction projects. Engineers estimates are almost ALWAYS undervalued compared with quotes received from construction companies.

Bandu Thursday, 24 January 2019 08:24 PM

Are surprised only now. People knew it , that it will be the case at proposal stage. Ha ha ha...

nihal Thursday, 24 January 2019 09:32 PM

What is the guarantee we had that the Engineer's estimate is so accurate. Its a mere guideline. Only the contractors aware the actual cost incurred and their profits. That is why the world bank, ADB, JBIC, JAICA is not that worried about Engineer's estimate. These are just reports without any benefit to the economy and waste of further public funds, and provision for political jokers to dance in the stage.

nalin Friday, 25 January 2019 04:54 PM

these engineers estimates are prepared by inexperienced local govt. dept. engineers who have no comprehension of risk and project financing.

Jude Friday, 25 January 2019 06:23 AM

Once the Eminent Engineer from Katubedda University, published a reports on Costs of building highways in SL range from $5 million to $55 million PER KILOMETRE and the engineer question why So much of Parity!!??? Maybe the Latter, PAVED in GOLD !! Huh!!!

Asanka Friday, 25 January 2019 06:28 AM

What was the USD/LKR ratio , when engineer estimate it ? and now LKR 182 for 1 USD. Between claimed land owners are asking more money for their property as land value goes up.

Jude Friday, 25 January 2019 06:32 AM

COPE NEVER took into account INDUCEMENTS COSTS !!!?? Yeah !!!

Politik Friday, 25 January 2019 07:14 AM

Hello, hello, will you just shut!! The politicians need to make some money too!!

Sambo Friday, 25 January 2019 07:26 AM

Of course our patriot minister must have large kick backs when doing projects. If not these patriots will not take up any projects and reject such tenders. Who ever this guy is state his name and kick him into jail.

Bandula Friday, 25 January 2019 07:37 AM

Until the media and citizens hold politicians to account nothing will happen. Country of thief's. Where are the sangha, Buddhist, devotees, blessing these thieves. Vey sad...……...

sachith Friday, 25 January 2019 07:40 AM

You forgot there is a 10% extra tax need to pay for the development of our ministers and their families.

cheers Friday, 25 January 2019 08:26 AM

Kiriella where are you. Public needs the highway to get to kandy faster not like you guys go with motorcades so the others have to get back

hansika pilimathalawa Friday, 25 January 2019 09:05 AM

Both these projects were awarded without competitive bidding. The cost should have been negotiated based on the estimate.The other question is whether the Engineers Estimate is already too high as it was prepared without any detailed design

hansika pilimathalawa Friday, 25 January 2019 09:07 AM

Both these projects were awarded without competitive bidding. The cost should have been negotiated based on the estimate.The other question is whether the Engineers Estimate is already too high as it was prepared without any detailed design

Jayanath Friday, 25 January 2019 09:14 AM

Now our people should understand how what idiots they are! UNP said the money spent for southern highway and other projects by MR government was too high! Now these bastards plans to double the costs and fill their pockets. Good luck you idiots will remain in same shit for ever!

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Estimate cost of Central expressway overvalued: COPE

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