Contracts for road repairs are signed before the start of the construction season, when the government will change does not depend on RIA. This is how the former chairman of the Board of the “Road Infrastructure” Agency Yordan Valchev responded to the accusations from the official authorities.
In the show “Hello, Bulgaria” Valchev explained the procedures. At the end of 2022 - beginning of 2023, contracts for current repairs are planned to be signed. Thus, the four-year period goes until 2027. “For 1 year, the contracts were not signed due to appeals and court procedures. At the end of 2023 and beginning of 2024, these contracts will begin to be signed. Accordingly, in 2024 and 2025, tasks are given so that work can be done. In 2024 and 2025, work is being done intensively, many activities have been carried out. The tasks, as the current minister said, have been assigned. They have not been paid for, they have not been carried out, but they have been assigned”, said Valchev.
And he added that the money has been distributed proportionally, but it is normal to have assigned activities that will be carried out in the coming years.
„It is quite normal at the beginning of the construction season to assign additional activities under a contract so that work can start on time. We cannot assign in the summer”, added Valchev.
When asked how the contract with "Giro d'Italia" has increased from 10 million to 50 million. he said that instead of making patches, it was decided to make a completely new road. "We don't pay, we assign work", Valchev explained.
"Yes, new companies are appearing in this business, but they must have quite a few things like bases, equipment, etc. I want to see the inspection after I was fired. RIA is not working at the moment", he said.