WEVER, Iowa (AP) — The company constructing a $1.9 billion fertilizer plant in southeast Iowa says the project has been delayed due to "defective work" by a Louisiana-based contractor.
The Des Moines Register reports (http://dmreg.co/1WLDNDu ) Orascom E&C USA claims Maintenance Enterprises didn't employ enough workers, repeatedly raised costs and failed to meet deadlines while working on the Iowa Fertilizer Co. plant, in Wever.
The claims were filed April 29 in response to a lawsuit filed in February by Maintenance, of White Castle, Louisiana. The contractor claims Orascom owes them $53.4 million, after they stopped providing payments and prevented the contractor from removing equipment.
The plant was scheduled to open in late 2015 or early 2016. It's now expected to open later this year.
The company didn't immediately respond to a message seeking comment.
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Information from: The Des Moines Register, http://www.desmoinesregister.com
