“They were hired to rehabilitate DN7C ‘Transfagarasan,’ a road of great economic and tourist importance, but they are not fulfilling their obligations, although they have been allotted the necessary financial resources,” said Boagiu in a press release.
Argecom, owned by Gheorghe Axinte, signed a multi-year maintenance contract in 2009 with the Bucharest Regional Road Department, for EUR61.75 million, net of VAT, which expires this year.
According to the minister, Argecom has refused to renegotiate the price, although the ministry has instated cost standards for multi-year maintenance contracts.
The company provides signage and maintenance services during the summer, and security, cleaning and snow removal services during the winter (the Transfagarasan is generally closed from October to June).
Argecom is based in Pitesti and, in recent years, has sealed several contracts with CNADNR, for snow removal on routes managed by the regional road departments of Bucharest, Craiova, Iasi and Teleorman, the modernization of the Transfagarasan, as well as other road sections.