WHAT INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN PUT IN PLACE FOR THE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT? Shortly after the ULP came to office in 2001, we took several policy decisions regarding air access and airport development. As I indicated earlier, one such policy decision was to move sure-footedly to lay the basis for the elaboration of the International Airport Project. First, we did a thorough study and analysis of all relevant airport development reports which were drawn up over the many years hitherto. Secondly, I began to explore funding possibilities with several friendly governments, international agencies and private sector entities. Thirdly, through the government’s analysis and discussion with professionals in the public service, in the private sector locally, and abroad, several creative ideas for funding the airport, emerged. Fourthly, the government created an International Airport Oversight Committee under my Chairmanship. This Oversight Committee included some members of Cabinet and senior public servants with technical expertise on various issues relating to the planning, financing and the construction of an international airport. This Oversight Committee was further sub-divided into two technical sub-committees, one focusing 7 on the financing and institutional arrangements for the construction of the international airport, and the second, concentrating on the engineering dimension of the Project. Fifthly, on the recommendation of the International Airport Oversight Committee, Cabinet took the decision to engage the same MMM consultants out of Canada who had done a study of airport development on mainland St. Vincent in 1997 – 1998. Their mandate this time was to review their 1998 Report, rework the numbers on costing, recommend a site for the international airport, and explore possible financing options. In the process of all these analyses and discussions, several professionals from the Caribbean and elsewhere freely gave of their time and expertise to address this issue of building an international airport on mainland St. Vincent. I do not wish to single out any one professional in this regard but it would be remiss of me not to mention a distinguished Canadian architect, who heads one of the most prestigious firms of architects internationally and who is a home owner in Mustique, for his invaluable insights and assistance on a continuing basis. In 2004, the Cabinet, upon advice obtained from the in-house professionals, MMM consultants and other professional advisers, took the final decision to site the international airport at Argyle. Later, I will detail the reasons for this decision. In October, 2004, consequent upon another earlier Cabinet decision, the state-owned International Airport Development Company (IADC) was formed to facilitate all arrangements for the financing, construction and operation of the international airport at Argyle. This company has a Board of Directors with the technical skills, experience and expertise to carry out its mandate. Mr. Tyrone Ballah, a trained Project Manager, was seconded from the Planning Division to coordinate the company’s work. The IADC is working in close collaboration with two other state-owned companies which the ULP administration established to facilitate, promote, and execute 8 its development plans. These two other companies are National Properties Limited and the National Investment Promotions Incorporated. These three important companies function under the direction of the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Planning. Personally, I have been tireless in my efforts on the International Airport Project. I have spent countless man-hours on this Project at home and abroad, in divers lands. I am fully satisfied that the government’s decisions on this matter are correct and that the international airport will be an operational and functional reality by 2011, at the latest.
Posted on: Wed, 03 Dec 2014 10:15:18 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015