The Tribune

By YOURI KEMP

Tribune Business Reporter

ykemp@tribunemedia.net

The deputy prime minister yesterday said the Government plans to launch the bidding process to transform Grand Bahama International Airport into a “world class” facility within the next 45 days.

Chester Cooper, speaking before the weekly Cabinet meeting, said a Request for Proposal (RFP) seeking investors for a private-public partnership (PPP) model will be launched, while the Government is “moving swiftly” to complete the remedial repairs to the airport including the acquisition of five new generators and providing elevators for the control tower.

“We want to ensure that the airport is safe for day and night-time flights, and therefore we are shoring up the equipment that’s there at the moment,” he said. “The airport is, in fact, safe. We are doing day flights, we are doing night flights, but we are enhancing this equipment as well.

“We are concerned about the working conditions, and we have approved funding for some temporary fixes to ensure that the Bahamian people work in good quality conditions. So that’s the first point.”

Mr Cooper continued: “Secondly, we want to build a world-class airport here. During the course of the next 45 days, we will go for an RFP. All of the work has already been done. We are simply doing final reviews and adjustments on it.

“But suffice to say we’re going to build a world-class airport that the Bahamian people can be very proud of in Grand Bahama. This is going to support the development of the hotel [Grand Lucayan], and also support the overall economy and the quality of life of the Bahamian residents and our guests in Grand Bahama.”

Mr Cooper said PPPs for other Family Island airports are moving forward. “We are going to be releasing the call for investment participation for nine airports across The Bahamas. So we’re proceeding, and we hope by the end of the second quarter we would have advanced this to a point where we have a short list,” he added.

With Grand Bahama certainly a “priority”, Mr Cooper added: “We promised the people of Grand Bahama that we’re going to bring renewed focus to the island of Grand Bahama. It’s important that we do this to support the investment environment, as well as the residents and our our guests as I’ve indicated. So Grand Bahama airport is priority number one.”

He noted that several airport development projects are already underway, notably in Exuma and also the Great Harbour Cay Airport, which will soon be opening. “North Eleuthera is high priority given that it’s the second busiest airport in the country,” Mr Cooper said.

So, all of these will be done at the same time, and we were comforted by the level of interest that we’re seeing from the international community and the local community for these PPPs.”