Australian company, RMS Engineering & Construction Pty Ltd have signed a contract this week with the Government to carry out works on the first phase of the Port Vila Urban Development Project (PVUDP) – road improvements, drainage and signage.
Managing Director of the company, Richard McDonald, was here this week for the signing with outgoing minister for Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Don Ken.
RMS Engineering & Construction Pty Ltd were selected at the end of 2015 to carry out the works after the opening of the bids in December 1, and an evaluation process that was concluded before Christmas.
Following the signing Wednesday, Mr McDonald said his company was keen to get the project going as soon as possible, telling local media and engineers present after the signing of the contract that mobilization of equipment will be happening soon.
In addition, Director of Vanuatu Project Management Unit (VPMU) Johnson Wabaiat said this was a critical project, bound to greatly improve the look and feel of the Capital City of Vanuatu.
Design Consultants for the project are British-based firm, Roughton International. Roughton provide supervision and capacity development for the project and since their arrival in 2015, have been working tirelessly to get the four key components of the project off the ground.
The Team Leader, Mr Lawrie Carlson said he is excited that the hard work of his team is now coming to reality with works due to start in March.
Meanwhile, the PVUDP project is being funded through a grant from the Australian government through AusAID and a loan from the Asian Development Bank at a total cost of USD 39.1 million.