L.T.A. instructs contractor to remove first layer of gravelling

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i 23 February 2019, 12:00AM

The Land Transport Authority has instructed the contractor fixing the Malie access road to remove material that it says is non-compliant with their guidelines.

This was confirmed by, LTA Chief Executive Officer, Galumalemana Ta'atialeoitiiti Tutuvanu-Schwalger in response to questions from the Sunday Samoan. 

Ironically, the LTA had signed off on the material to fix that stretch of road last month. The instructions to remove the material will now put back the project completion date for that particular road. 

The Samoa Works and Engineering Limited (SWEL) won the $500,000 contract to fix up the road.  

When the CEO was asked if action will be taken against the manager responsible for endorsing the non-compliant material, she refused to comment. 

“We go through a performance assessment for all the staff including myself, and that’s all I can say,” said. 

Galumalemana said work on the Malie access road is in progress, and the contract was awarded in line with the procurement guidelines of the Government. 

“The LTA as the implementing agency is responsible for the management, and supervision of the contract – including monitoring the compliance of the contractor to the set standards and conditions within the signed contract."

“LTA has robust quality assurance processes and standards in place where samples are submitted to our laboratory during road construction to ensure a deliverable quality product at the end of the contract. Regular monitoring by our survey team is also undertaken during the works to check the levels of road construction and the thickness of laid material,” she said. 

For the Malie access road construction, Galumalemana said the contractor had supplied and laid material which was tested by the LTA laboratory team and found to be non-compliant. 

“Thus the LTA had instructed the contractor to remove the unacceptable material and to supply material that is acceptable and which is in compliance with the set standards.” 

She said in the long term, LTA is in the process of upgrading and enhancing the capacity of our laboratory and survey team to ensure that our lab and survey team have the required knowledge and resources to undertake quality assurance for our roads.

The CEO also welcomes reactions from the public in any work overseen by the LTA. 

“Feedback from the public and concerned parties in any work undertaken by LTA are welcomed." 

“All feedback becomes part of our continuous improvement processes, whether good or bad; these are used to strengthen our processes and ensure a quality, deliverable product to our customers, the people of Samoa,” explained the CEO. 

Repeated efforts to attain comments from the owners of SWEL Co Ltd have been unsuccessful. 

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i 23 February 2019, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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