And speaking of bridges- what about the other big one in the city that's lined up for replacement. That's the Belcan bridge and recently it has been the subject of much controversy when the contract was taken away form the MIDH and handed over to the city council. Since then it has gone back to the MIDH.
And today as he stood in city hall, humiliated when it wasn't allowed to open bids it had invited, Espat crowed about the pre-eminence of ministry's technical team.
When questioned about whether his earlier public objections amounted to a "protest" that influenced the government's reversal of the decision, the minister was careful in his response.
Reporter:
"Give us some insight um, just for our sake as to what was the thought process that went into pulling the contract back from under the city council and bringing it back to MIDH."
Julius Espat, Minister of Infrastructure Development & Housing
"We have no role in play, we only operate once the green light is given to us so em, that's a question I think you need to ask the prime minister."
Reporter -
"So would your protest to it have been any part of the consideration?"
Julius Espat, Minister of Infrastructure Development & Housing
"I wouldn't like to use the word protest, it's called lobbying. We are proud that MIDH is the ministry that is in charge of infrastructure, we have proven that with time we have the capable staff, we have experience, we have working relationships with the external partners. It is my responsibility to sit with the Prime Minister when I believe it is best to put it where it should be and in this case it worked."
