The Tribune

By Fay Simmons

jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

Tribune Business Reporter

A Cabinet minister yesterday reiterated that the Government is reviewing tender documents that will be released to bidders interested in taking over Abaco's two ports via private-public partnership (PPP) arrangements.

JoBeth Coleby-Davis, minister of housing and transport, said: “Where we are now is just working through the tender document and getting us to a place where we can put it out for persons to put a good proposal together that the Government can consider”

She confirmed that the draft bidding documents have been sent to the Attorney General’s (AGs) Office for legal review, and disclosed that various groups are already showing interest in submitting proposals.

“We've produced a tender document, and we've sent it over to the Office of the Attorney General. They have responded with some questions and queries on both of the documents because it's two ports, Marsh Harbour and North Abaco. Once that's completed, we'll be putting it forward to go out for bid for persons interested," Mrs Coleby-Davis said.

“There have been some expressions of interest already. But obviously now we have an actual document that defines what it is the Government would want to see in a proposal. It expands the proposals that may have came forward prior. But we're working diligently and very hard to get both of those ports up to standard that helps us to pass even our ISPS audits with good standing to make sure our protocols and securities are in place.”

The ISPS stands for International Ship and Port Security (ISPS), which all shipping ports must comply with to receive commercial cargo traffic. Mrs Coleby-Davis said the project is moving at a "good pace", and that her team has visited the North Abaco and spoken with locals in hopes of solving the issue for Abaco residents.

She said: “It's a lot of work. The team has been working well with a few of the various departments that will be affected and connected to the fully-functioning port. And so we should be soon saying some more in the public about where we are, but the process is moving at a good pace. And we are working well with the Attorney General's Office to bring it to conclusion.

“We have had a number of meetings, and we've done a number of visits to the port so that we can get some resolution for the residents. And we've had a few Town Hall meetings as well. Our team was on the ground earlier this week.”

The North Abaco Pastors Association (NAPA) held a meeting Monday night seeking to create a petition advocating for the port’s full use. Pastor Marvin Mills, NAPA's chairman, posed a series of questions to the Government about the status of the North Abaco port and the impending PPP tender.

Mrs Coleby-Davis said the delay was due in part to "economic questions", and maintained that she is awaiting the outcome of the bidding process to determine how the Government will move forward.

She said: “There have been some comments about some residents from one end of Abaco that didn't think that the [North Abaco] port may have worked in some of the proposals that have been offered. [There were] some questions or queries on whether it was to have the balance with having Marsh Harbour as transshipment, and also having in North Abaco. And so I think it was some economic questions.

“Outside of that there has been some dredging work that was done prior to me taking office. And I think it was utilised during Hurricane Dorian to get some materials and supplies to residents on that side in North Abaco. And so, the question now is what do we get from putting out to tender… and how those proposals will see it to fruition."