Public Works Minister Trevor Moniz has defended the handling of modifications of Heritage Wharf in a statement to the House of Assembly yesterday.Mr Moniz addressed a number of criticisms and stressed that he did not say that all the works would be completed by the inaugural visit of the mega cruise ship Norwegian Breakaway on May 15.The Minister stressed that a number of local companies have been involved in the works, and Bermuda had received an economic boost as a result of the project.“As a consequence of our respecting the regulations, undertaking this project correctly, following the guidance of our Planning officers and the advice of the consultees in the planning process — not only has the necessary financial commitment been injected into the economy of the construction industry, but also into peripheral industry and professions in a long-term sustainable fashion,” Mr Moniz said.The Minister provided a detailed breakdown of the workforce with each company attached to the project, and reported that 71 locals and 20 overseas personnel had been needed for the project, excluding local support services.“These numbers are not definitive but they are a fair representation. If there is a desire for a clearer demonstration of the distribution of work then we will happily provide that at the completion of the project.”A total of $28 million was authorised for the project, and about $17 million, or 60 percent of the budget, spent to date, he continued.The project is 70 percent complete.“Some of the remaining works to be completed include the completion of the northern and southern mooring dolphins which are smaller structures — with fewer piles than the breasting dolphins — along with the installation of access gantries and the provision of essential safety equipment that was not installed as part of the original dock construction project.Mr Moniz told the House that there had never been concern of the Breakaway slipping her moorings and it had not been necessary to keep the engines running as had been reported. But a pilot has remained on board for each visit because the wharf is only capable of berthing the ship in a wind strength of up to 26 knots.“The new breasting dolphins will provide a guaranteed 32 knots assessment load. The additional mooring dolphins will take the dock up to the required 45 knots sustained wind loading which was, despite reports to the contrary, the required design loading for the original dock design.”Mr Moniz went on to say that the southern breasting dolphin was “substantially completed” before the ship arrived on May 15.“The northern breasting dolphin was awaiting the final concrete pour which was delayed due to weather. Concrete pours on both are now complete with the fender on the southern dolphin attached. The engineers are planning to install the fender on the northern dolphin in the coming week when the Norwegian Breakaway departs.”He said: “It is anticipated that the dock will be completely finished for the safe berthing of cruise ships two to four months into the closed season.“For a long-term structure with low maintenance issues, possibly 12 to 18 months or longer depending on available funds and the outcomes of our ongoing investigations.”His statement also sought to debunk criticism that non-galvanised steel was used on the project saying sources for media reports had vested interests, and that quality of construction is the most important factor in inhibiting corrosion.“In addition we are investigating the most effective manner of adding cathodic protection to the new and existing structures. Therefore, there is no need for galvanising, as this would have added costs and time to the project,” Mr Moniz said.“It has been quite difficult for our team to communicate the facts to the media who clearly have limited understanding of the subject and somehow seemed to have formed a firm opinion on the matter based on vested interested parties and no scientific evidence as well as quoting ‘anonymous sources’.”He insisted that it was “not correct” to say that galvanising is the best option, that it was required by Planning or that it is “modern professional practice to specify galvanising for major civil structures”.