Ladislav Lazar (source: Sme)
Ladislav Lazar is leaving his post as director of state-run company Water Management Construction (VV) following a discussion with new Environment Minister László Solymos of Most-Híd.
“The minister views this company as strategic for both the ministry and the state,” Juraj Rybanský, from the ministry’s press department told the TASR newswire on April 7.
Until a new director is selected VV will be headed by Andrej Kasana, who served as dam security department chief until his nomination to this temporary role.
A few months ago, Lazar was linked by the then opposition to a controversial contract for ferry transport between Danube River ports at Vojka nad Dunajom and Kyselica in Trnava region. The contract was signed by VV and private Bratislava-based company Ponton City in June 2015 for a term of 15 years.
The cost over 15 years will reach €51.38 million including VAT, which is over the limit set for public procurements - €25 million excluding VAT. This is due to the ferry’s schedule. The contract for the ferry service states a frequency of 19 journeys a day. However from July 1, 2015 the ferry began to operate according to a different schedule with a frequency of 35 journeys a day, which increased costs, according to the Ordinary People and Independent Personalities (OĽaNO) leader Igor Matovič.
Matovič argued that building a bridge would have been more cost effective.
Former environment minister Peter Žiga of Smer who had to face a no-confidence motion in parliament over the case, claimed that the state did not lose even a single euro over the ferry contract.
