A total of 44 companies have tendered in their expression of interest on the provision of government services.

Permanent Secretary for Public Service, Taina Tagicakibau said the ministry will continue with the project to contract services to individual contractors as part of the ministry's plans to restructure the Department of Water and Sewerage and Roads and Mechanical Services.

She made the comment after the closing of the expressions of interest that was advertised by the ministry, giving priority to those companies currently engaging in these activities.

Some of the criteria include companies having a proven track record of engaging in these services for a number of years and they must be financially sound.

Tagicakibau said it is too early to ascertain the processing time of the tenders as a committee comprising of representatives from the line ministries who perform these services will be appointed soon, to assess and shortlist the tenders before finalizing the successful parties found to have met the necessary criteria.