€9.5m sewage works that cost the taxpayer €83m

A SEWAGE works contract worth €9.5m has ended up costing the taxpayer €83m after a construction company was fired from the job.

The massive overrun in costs includes remedial works, compensation and legal fees after the row between Limerick City Council and Uniform Construction Ltd ended up in conciliation, arbitration and finally the High Court.

In a damning report, the state spending watchdog, the Comptroller and Auditor General, revealed yesterday the dispute could have been settled for as little as €12m but the city council’s decision to reject settlement terms and keep fighting drove the costs to escalate.