The Construction Agenda: OCTAGON- 2 million euro works for large scale infrastructure projects

Octagon Contracting & Engineering, one of the main constructors of special foundations in Romania is  working on three large scale infrastructure projects in Romania. The total value of the projects is around  2 million euro. Octagon will cash 600,000 euro for geotechnical works performed at the underground passage from Presei Libere Square in Bucharest.  Another important project is the rehabilitation of Brasov – Simeria railway,  Coslariu – Sighisoara section, Micasasa – Coslariu sector, worth 260,000 euro. "In this project we were subcontracted by the Greek contractor Aktor. We also executed bored piles for sections A, D and E of the second sector of  Lugoj – Deva highway, a  5 million lei (1.14 milion euro) project,  as the subcontractor of Salini Impregilo ", said Alexandros Ignatiadis, co-founder and shareholder of Octagon C&E.

 Poor management of public investments blocks the infrastructure development

According to the manager the main issue the local infrastructure and public works market is facing is the poor management, which triggers poor results in the area. "Delivery terms are extended three times on average and these delays generate financial loses. We have major delays in each stage of a project’s  development, starting with the feasibility stage and continuing with the launching of the specifications book, which is contested several times. A lot of time is wasted trying to solve the contestations, after which a new bid the results of which are contested again is announced.” said the shareholder of Octagon.

The new rules for the awarding of public contracts, voted by the European Parliament on January 15^th  2014, have not solved the issues of the Romanian legislation either. "Maintaining the lowest price as the main awarding criteria can significantly impact the quality of delivered projects. We need a more detailed approach and deep changes in this respect.”  explained Alexandros Ignatiadis.