The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

The Deputy Prime Minister yesterday said work on the $40 million North Abaco Port was now in “full swing”, acknowledging that substantial design delays have plagued the project since its groundbreaking last June.

Addressing the Abaco Business Outlook conference at the Abaco Beach Resort in Marsh Harbour, Philip Davis said the Bahamas Environment, Science and Technology Commission (BEST) had effectively given the project the go-ahead back in June.

“Since groundbreaking in June 2014 there were substantial project design delays,” he added.

“After securing BEST Commission approval of an environmental management plan for excavation works for the port and dredging of the entrance channel, and securing a permit for the harvesting of protected trees in the area, the contractor uncovered a previously undetected blue hole.”

Mr Davis continued: “The BEST Commission issued a stop order calling, for among other things, the review of the hydrological assessments on the tidal creek system and blue hole. A second impact assessment was required and reviewed, and the BEST Commission determined that there was no need to reconfigure the port layout as was previously foreshadowed. That was in June. Work is now in full swing.”

China Harbour and Engineering Company (CHEC) is the contractor for the port project, which is being funded by the China Export Import Bank.

Mr Davis addd that Abaco’s mini-hospital is expected to open before year-end. “Ensuring that facilities are in place to deal with any emergencies is critically important,” he said.

“The mini-hospital in Abaco, I’m advised, in 90 per cent complete. Outstanding works includes completion of floor finishes, locking devices, telemedicine modalities, acquisitions and installation of a communications network, installation of equipment and landscaping.

“This project, which is under the supervision of the National Insurance Board, is expected to open before this year’s end.”