OSLO — A prestige project valued at more than 50 billion kroner may incur an additional 300,000 kroner expense because of what officials call simple misunderstandings. The issue centers on coffee machines and sparkling water dispensers that were not included in the original tender documents for the Government Quarter in central Oslo.
The Regjeringskvartalet complex, completed in 2022, houses several ministries and cost an estimated 52 billion kroner to build. According to a report from the Office of the Auditor General, the omission stems from a failure to specify these common office items in procurement contracts. The missing equipment spans multiple buildings within the complex, affecting dozens of workstations.
Agency heads now face the choice of purchasing the machines and dispensers themselves or submitting change requests to the contractor. Either option will add to public spending. The Auditor General’s office confirmed the financial impact remains under review but emphasized the need for clarity in future contracts.
City officials declined to comment on whether the oversight reflects broader issues in project oversight. The Government Quarter was designed to consolidate state administration in one location after the 2011 terrorist attacks destroyed parts of the original complex.
A spokesman for the Ministry of Local Government and Modernisation said the government is working to resolve the matter efficiently. The 300,000 kroner figure includes purchase and installation costs for standard office appliances.
Source: e24.no