By RASHAD ROLLE
Tribune Staff Reporter
THE $30 million project at the Marsh Harbour International Airport is still incomplete, Deputy Prime Minister Philip Davis said yesterday.
Construction at the airport began in 2011 and was expected to be finished last year.
However, the Minister of Works and Urban Development told those attending the Abaco Business Outlook Conference that logistical problems have delayed the completion of the project, which includes the creation of a new terminal building.
“I am saddened,” he said, “by the turn of events on this extremely expensive and much anticipated project. My Ministry has been challenged to provide all the necessary approvals to the contractor for the construction of the airport buildings as there have been and continue to be concerns of a technical nature which do not permit the Ministry of Works and Urban Development to issue necessary approvals.”
“This is a most serious and vexing matter. I am not an engineer, nor do I pretend to be one; but I accept that there are extremely good reasons for, first, a thorough approval process to be followed by the issuance of approvals following any required adjustments and then the requisite follow-up through regular objective inspections and confirmation of building according to an approved plan.”
The project is expected to include the construction of an international terminal, an air traffic control tower, a fire/crash rescue facility, a new taxiway, a new 6,100 ft runway to the south of the existing runway, the erection of new directional signs and the installation of approach, runway and taxiway lights.
It is also expected to include major statutory utilities upgrades and connections, relocation of electrical services in the terminal building, airside land preparation and plant hydro seeding and the installation of fence to enclose the airport property for security purposes.
The project was launched in March 2007 when a contract was awarded to Bahamas Hot Mix to construct a new taxiway to resurface the existing runway.
Comments
proudloudandfnm 10 years, 7 months ago
Well this is the PLP after all. We don't actually expect them to finish anything....
Way to go Brave, maintain that PLP status quo.....
Now I bet of this was a Genting or Nygard project it would have been finished by PLP's second week in office...
Guess if yinna aint getting bribed then nothing happens....
jackflash 10 years, 7 months ago
The fact of the matter is that they don't have the money to complete this or our ne hospital. But let they can fly all around and spend money but yet when I want to go to the US I have to sit outside on broken chairs in the heat. Tribune, come to Abaco and see for yourself what our visitors are sitting on. Come look at the new terminal and hospital and see for yourself.
They don't have the money for the little finishing touches...
Sad.. but true.
lazybor 10 years, 7 months ago
Everything as usual...
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GQ 10 years, 7 months ago
It's funny how the new terminal can be opened to accomondate SOME of our guests going to a private development (I have no problem with this) but our other just as important visitors have to stand/sit/crouch in a filth hole of a building.
When the politicians come they are whisked right off the aircraft parking ramp and don't have to endure the embarassment that we Abaconians do.
Bahamians and Abaconians in particular should now be used to the blame game the PLP and FNM play. They are like a football team, when one is on offense (Government) the other is on defense (oppositioon) and all they do is blame the other side instead of trying to help the people of this nation. Ingraham caused the FNM to lose the last election when he constantly blasted his one time friend Christie instead of trying to fix the problem.
The Abaco terminal will not be finished until the PLP can ensure that some of their cronies are given lucrative contracts to help fill their coffers for the next election....and so the Bahamas suffers.
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