Gov’t approved for CCECC to bring in engineers: Tarivonda

November 13, 2020 12:17 am | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook

By Anita Roberts

The Government, through the Council of Ministers (COM) has approved for the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) to bring 28 engineers and special equipment operators from China to Vanuatu recently.

This was conveyed by the Director of the Department of Public Health and Spokesperson on all COVID-19 matters, Len Tarivonda.

These technical workers came to deliver major infrastructure projects, he said

They arrived from Shanghai via Auckland on the day the country recorded its first case of coronavirus thus, prompted public concerns. 

The country’s first coronavirus case is a repatriate returning from USA via Auckland. USA, like China are considered as COVID-19 high risk countries.

CCECC assured that the workers have complied with the necessary health and safety requirements put in place by the Vanuatu government since leaving Shanghai in China through transit in Auckland and arrival in Port Vila.

The company said the workers were tested negative for coronavirus before traveling.

The engineers and special equipment operators arrived fully dressed with protective clothing such as overalls and masks, demonstrating their respect and compliance to the country’s safety protocols, said CCECC.

CCECC clarified that the technical workers are brought in to complete ongoing projects such as the Tanna and Malekula Road Projects and start new projects such as the construction of the Pentecost road.

CCECC was the contractor for the Bauerfield Airport runway and mentioned the technical workers will be fixing defects on the project as well.

The company said it planned to bring in these workers before travel restrictions were imposed. The workers are undergoing the required 14-days quarantine.