07-09-2021
Project supervision commission approves project phases to construct a physical barrier at the border with Belarus
The more than 500-kilometres-long physical barrier project will be implemented in two phases, with the first works on the most important 100-kilometre stretch starting in the second half of September. This was decided on Saturday by the Commission for the Supervision of the Project of the Physical Barrier at the Border with Belarus, following approval of the project implementation phases and the essential terms of the contract with the project promoter.
Concertina wire is already being deployed on the border with Belarus; the work will be coordinated with the forthcoming fence installation work, so that the entire physical barrier fully meets the technical requirements set by the State Border Guard Service under the Ministry of the Interior (SBGS).
Installation of a physical barrier to prevent irregular migrants from entering via the key high-risk sections (near Druskininkai and the frontier stations of A. Barauskas and Adutiškis) is planned to start in the second half of September.
In preparation for the second phase of the construction of the physical barrier, EPSO-G will launch a call for tenders in September to sign contracts with a number of companies that will be able to complete the work on time. To attract future barrier builders smoothly and effectively, EPSO-G plans to launch a public market consultation next week.
During the market consultation next week, EPSO-G will publish in the Central Public Procurement Information System the main conditions for the procurement of the physical barrier construction services for the second phase, including a technical specification drafted by the SBGS together with EPSO-G, to obtain detailed feedback from market participants. Following completion of the market consultation procedure, the procurement documents will be finalised, and the procurement of construction services for the second phase of the physical barrier will begin.
The second phase construction works on the approximately 400-kilometres-long sections are planned to start at the end of this year and to be completed in the second half of next year, by the deadline set by the Government.
The project supervision commission has also approved the essential terms of the contract between the Authority (SBGS) and the Project Promoter (EPSO-G).
At the end of August, the Cabinet of Ministers decided that the project for the construction of a physical barrier on the border with Belarus would be implemented by the EPSO-G group of companies controlled by the Ministry of Energy, as it had the necessary resources to implement the project and experience in managing the related complex risks.
The project supervision commission is headed by Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė and includes the Minister of the Interior, Minister of Energy, Minister of National Defence, Minister of Environment, Minister of Finance, SBGS Commander, Head of the State Territorial Planning and Construction Inspectorate under the Ministry of Environment, and a representative of the Project Promoter, EPSO-G.