The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

The Deputy Prime Minister yesterday reassured Abaconians that a completion date was “in sight” for the new Marsh Harbour International Airport, adding that his ministry had been unable to issue all the necessary project approvals due to technical concerns.

“I am saddened by the turn of events on this extremely expensive and much anticipated project,” Philip Davis, who is also minister of works, said. “My ministry has been challenged to provide all the necessary approvals to the contractor for the construction of the airport buildings.

“There continues to be concerns of a technical nature which do not permit the Ministry of Works to issue all of the necessary approvals. This is a most serious and vexing matter.”

The airport, to be called the Leonard M Thompson International Airport, was first projected to require a $27.3 million investment. Mr Davis declined to comment on how much the Government would have to spend on cost overruns to complete the project, noting that several issues were still being worked out. Cost overruns had been estimated at $11 million, according to previous Tribune Business reports.

Outlining some of the other concerns surrounding the project, Mr Davis said: “Besides the problems with all the necessary approvals not being in place, which would mean that an occupancy certificate cannot be issued, resulting in delays in the opening, we also have concerns being expressed about whether all of the structural elements actually meet fire and safety codes.

“I am advised that other agencies of the Government and users of the airport, namely the airlines, are having difficulty with the spaces and equipment being provided for them. It seems that the design of the interior would demand additional staffing to operate a separate international and domestic security operations.

“The airlines are also asking for ticket counters to be redesigned as there are presently no allocations for space for printers and ticketing machines. Apparently, the Immigration Department also has an issue with their access to their work area and the security of the same.”

Mr Davis added: “There is also the relocating of the switch system for runway lighting to the new control tower, and the removal of the existing building. Some technical equipment required to meet international standards are presently under review to ensure proper compliance.

“I’m also told that the Civil Aviation Department is presently short listing potential new controllers from more than 100 persons who applied.”

The Deputy Prime Minister said the Ministry of Transport and Aviation was pursuing the private management of the Marsh Harbour Airport. “In that regard, a Request for Proposalsto manage, develop and operate the airport was published in May of this year, inviting bids from qualified Bahamian firms,” said Mr Davis.

He added that three companies had submitted proposals, and the evaluation team appointed to assess them has completed its review and made its recommendations to the Minister of Aviation, who will in turn present them to Cabinet.