Mauritius Airports’ Tower Trouble: Rs 1.2 Billion Cost Explosion

The Airports of Mauritius Ltd (AML) is on the verge of finalizing a project to build a new control tower, initially estimated to cost Rs 600 million in 2018. Six years later, the cost has skyrocketed to over Rs 1.2 billion.

The decision to award the construction contract to Hyvec Group has been made, and administrative procedures are underway for the official announcement.

The project, launched in May 2018, was initially expected to be completed by September 2019.

The tower, standing at approximately 70 meters high, was intended to be a major asset for the airport.

However, the construction was halted pending expert advice and various complications have delayed the project.

The initial contract was awarded to the Joint-Venture of PadcoEndem.

However, the companies were at the center of a criminal investigation after being suspected of presenting fake bank documents and falsified performance guarantees to secure the contract.

No further action was taken on the investigation, and the project came to a halt.

However, this situation necessitated a new tender process. AML recently launched a selective tendering process, which only two companies – Hyvec Group and another firm – participated in.

It is noteworthy that AML is exempt from the Public Procurement Act, which means it is not required to go through the Central Procurement Board (CPB) like other public entities such as the State Trading Corporation.

AML has its own procurement department, establishing its own rules for allocating contracts.

In principle, the management of the control tower falls under the Department of Civil Aviation, but the project was transferred to AML through an administrative arrangement.

The Department of Civil Aviation is responsible for ensuring that buildings and structures near the airport meet safety standards for air operations and for issuing permits for all types of construction.

The decision to proceed with a selective tendering process with only two entities has been heavily criticized.

It is unclear how AML managed to limit its choice to just these two companies.

Cost Explosion

The initial estimated cost of the project, evaluated at around Rs 600 million by an internal quantity surveyor, has been revised upwards after AML hired a private evaluator.

This private surveyor estimated the cost at Rs 1.2 billion. The company Aeropole de Paris Ingénierie had previously estimated the cost at around Rs 700 million.

Those familiar with the matter say they do not understand why a new evaluation was needed when costs were already finalized.

The project falls within the scope of the airport’s Master Plan. Hyvec Group will oversee the construction, including installing equipment and facilities for communication, navigation, and surveillance.

Those familiar with the matter are raising questions about this spectacular increase in costs, especially since the project remains unchanged and work that had begun has been suspended.

When contacted, Hyvec Group’s communication department said they would not comment until the contract is officially awarded and they have received no further information.

The current control tower presents limitations for air traffic controllers, who cannot monitor aircraft movements on the ground during takeoff and landing operations.

To address this issue, consultants from Aeroport de Paris revised the design of the existing control tower in 2017 by adding additional cameras and screens to provide better visibility of aircraft movements on the part of the tarmac in front of the terminal.

However, this temporary solution has remained in place since then.

According to project details, the new control tower will be a modern steel structure measuring 66 meters high and 9 meters in diameter, covering a total area of 1,000 square meters.

It will be able to accommodate four air traffic controllers in a 72-square-meter control room on the eighth floor, 66 meters above ground level.

The room can be expanded if needed to accommodate more controllers. Below it will be rooms for meetings and technical installations.

The lower levels will include four bedrooms, a dining room, and changing rooms on the sixth floor.

The ground floor will house a technical building with 660 square meters of office space, meeting rooms, and rest areas for staff.

The contractor will also carry out ancillary works, including building access roads for vehicles and pedestrians, installing drains, and landscaping.

When l’Express contacted for comment, Pawan Baichoo, CEO of AML, was unavailable due to an important meeting and promised to respond later; however, repeated requests were unsuccessful.

Source: l’Express