site.btaPM, Road Construction Companies Discuss Outstanding Payments

Prime Minister Kiril Petkov met with representatives of the Bulgarian Branch Chamber Roads (BBCR) on Thursday, the government information service said after the meeting. Problems facing the road construction industry and their possible solutions were on the agenda.

Petkov repeated his Tuesday's statement that the government is ready to pay 600 million leva promptly, but not before Parliament has approved the payment.

That is about half of what is owed to road construction companies.

The Prime Minister assured the BBCR representatives that the other half will be paid after thorough audits. He added that while he "appreciates the builders' work, he has a duty to the Bulgarian people to make sure taxpayers' money is spent transparently and lawfully".

Bulgarian road construction workers staged a nationwide protest Wednesday demanding payments due for works done. They said they have had no works commissioned and no financing for a year now. The industry is owed over 1.1 billion leva for services, including winter road maintenance.

In October and November 2021, road maintenance and repair contracts were terminated by the then caretaker government over suspected misuse of funds. Tenders for new contracts are yet to be held.