The Tribune

CONSTRUCTION work on North Abaco’s new $39 million port is expected to begin in two months, island residents were told at a Town Meeting earlier this week.

The construction phase will be funded by the Export Import Bank of China, which has financed Baha Mar’s $2.6 billion Cable Beach expansion, and the Government. Work will take roughly two years, with China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) acting as the lead contractor.

Deputy Prime Minister, Philip Davis, said the port’s development would be a major boost to the economy of Coopers Town and Abaco at large.

“A modern infrastructure and transportation facility to facilitate international trade generates new business revenues from all the things that will be built up around this,” said the Minister of Works. “It will engage Bahamian service providers and suppliers. And, of course, we expect our trade between China and Bahamas to improve.”

Felix Chang, CHEC Bahamas’ principal, said a minimum one-third of the project’s investment ($13 million) would be shared throughout the community, directly and indirectly.

Already, more than 70 Bahamian companies have been contracted for works in the past several months leading up to the construction start.

“There will be job opportunities, skills training, the purchase of construction material and equipment supplied locally,” said Mr Chang. “There will be openness and transparency, community activities, Bahamian and Chinese cultural efforts and sponsorship of sports competition.”

Abaco residents were urged to listen out for an upcoming job fair that will hosted by CHEC, as it team looks to engage more Abaco residents on the project.

Mr Davis told a Town Hall meeting that his ministry was working with CHEC to make sure the development happened on time, on schedule and used the maximum amount of Bahamian services.

“The topographic and hypographic surveys for dredging have been completed, the geo technical work has been completed, and the coastal engineering work has been completed,” said Mr Davis.

“We expect them to be in our ministry in the next three weeks for our sign off. So starting within the next six weeks, I can say now, there will be some hiring, very minimal hiring, to be ready for the go, so be ready for the ‘go’ sign in six weeks time.

“It’s expected to take two years to be completed, so here in Abaco you can expect much activity for at least two years. There’s at least $39 million being pumped into North Abaco, and all of you ought to be sharing in this.”