176
Date:
28.11.86.
Time:
Reporter:
8.30
PMO
-
12.30
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I may add disruptions and adding inclement weather.
[Reads]
"With my findings I could conclude it is physically impossible to complete the project within the specified contract period and the consequent delays were not due to the default of the
contractor."
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CHAIRMAN:
MR CHEUNG:
This is done in 1981 ? By Arthur Andrew.
This is 1981 and his report, Mr Andrew's report, was endorsed in a letter by Sir Alan Harris, who was Professor of
Concrete Structures and Technology at the Imperial College in London.
I believe you have already been furnished also with a copy of that letter, I don't have to read that letter. Now, beyond all argument, the Government issued a certificate extending the time of completion to the 31st March 1983. I don't believe you have a copy of that certificate and I propose, Sir, to give a copy to you. [Document distributed to the Committee It is followed by a certificate that the defects liability period commenced on the 1st April 1983 and
also a statement of final account which is attached to this and a
certificate that the work has been satisfactorily completed.
Now, that extension of time went up to the last day of construction,
the 31st March 1983. If there had been insufficient work or
insufficient organisation or insufficient experience on the part
of this contractor, the fault would have been laid at his door
and extension would not have been granted to the last day of
construction. I would have thought that would have ended the
controversy once and for all.
Mr Lei did categorically say, "The eventual contract period 28 extended after extension is the true period required for the
construction of this project.
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It is not only the scale turned out to be much greater a scale than originally envisaged, it is not any lack
of efficiency or organisation. "That is my view is fully supported by the extension of time. Now, the matter I think might have been laid to rest but you still had some nagging problems in your mind, as to whether it was due to the lack of organisation. That appears from page 7 of the transcript, Sir. At line 6, you ask, [Reads]
"Whether the contractor made a claim." The answer was "Yes".