Following this, the Ministry said it took a decision in the best interest of the project progress, through Roads Department to downscale or omit some of the Provisional Sum items in a bid to reduce the cost of the project to meet the budget requirement of P1, 460, 999, 872.00.

“In carrying out the exercise, the interchange at SuperSave estimated at a cost of P230, 000, 00 is the first to be considered for removal. The omission of the interchange, which is not yet designed includes its associated provisional sum items like landscaping and grassing.

“Secondly, the other items considered are the water relocations and replacement of traffic signals which are also brought about by construction of the interchange,” said Rule Opelo, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry.

Efforts to get a comment from the Ministry were futile this week as the Principal Public Relations Officer Doreen Motshegwa directed this publication to the Department of Roads which she said is seized with the questionnaire sent to her.