There is confusion in Kiribati over a holdup in works on new government offices in South Tarawa.
The Kiribati Independent reports the government has paid a construction company, Royal Grounds Enterprises, US$548,000 to build a new office for the Ministry of Fisheries in Ambo.
The company's general manager Ngaatau Neneia says the work was suspended this year on the advice of a government engineer who had noted some problems after an inspection of the site.
But Kiribati's Secretary of Works, Elliot Ali, says reponsibility for the delay lies with the contractor.
Ngaatau Neneia says the company's contract required the project to have been completed by October and a missed deadline could mean legal action.