In July 2020, the building company “Velve” was designated as the second-round builders of the A building of Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital. It promised to complete the work for nearly €88.4 million, excluding VAT, and to complete all the work on the construction of the building within 30 months.
Additional agreements have already been reached with the builder in August, extending the deadline to May 31, 2023. However, there is also concern at the moment that the work would not be completed in time.
“The total contractual amount with Velve is EUR 106 million with VAT and the existing financial use is EUR 37 million or 35% of the total contract amount. If we look at last September's execution, then it was only 31% of the plan. We're looking forward to the October data this week, but indicatively it will be approximately the same level as in September. Accordingly, these are the indications from which we conclude a fall in work tempo,” said the hospital's representative Agra Ločmele.
There have been oral discussions between the hospital and the builder on a possible extension of the deadline. But officially no such request has yet been received from the building company.
“What we can observe is the lack of work effort and working hands. There were around 100 employees at the site last week, however, 200-300 employees should be there judging by the size of the works. And [also] labor organization. We see it is winter, there is snow, but the [exterior] of the building is not yet complete so that the building could continue going forward with its interior,” Ločmele said.
The new part of the building will house an emergency medical center, surgeries and neurosurgery, neurology departments and stroke units, facial and jaw surgery, ICU, as well as a maternity department.
Ločmele said if the project is delayed, all services will be provided in the old, run-down, less equipped, and smaller spaces. The hospital is therefore very interested in starting work in the new building as soon as possible.
In addition, the delay means that the unspent project money could be lost, because all the jobs that will take place after December 31, 2023, will have to be done on hospital or builder funds.
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