By YOURI KEMP
Tribune Business Reporter
ykemp@tribunemedia.net
A Cabinet minister yesterday confirmed that Hutchison Ports Holdings had indicated it will “not rebuild” the parts of Grand Bahama International Airport that were devastated by Hurricane Dorian.
Senator Kwasi Thompson, minister of state for Grand Bahama, said the government would also continue to put “some pressures” on the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA), Freeport’s quasi-governmental authority and Hutchison’s 50/50 joint venture partner in the airport.
“The government of The Bahamas is going to continue to work with the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA); we are partners,” Mr Thompson said. “There are some things that need to change, and there are some pressures that the government needs to continue to put on the GBPA.”
Turning to the airport, he added: “The GBPA is half owner of the airport as well as Hutchison is also half owner of the airport. Since the storm, Hutchison has indicated that they will not rebuild the existing portions there of the airport.
“They have opened the temporary location, which was the former FBO. So we now do have international flights, we have domestic flights that are going to Freeport. We are pleased with that.
“However, the airport requires a long-term development plan, and the government has entered into talks with Hutchison and the GBPA with respect of transfer of ownership. So those talks are ongoing, but the airport does require a long term development plan.”
Comments
birdiestrachan 4 years, 2 months ago
Well how about that now Thompson knows. Hutchison and GBPA will not rebuild the Airport. Thompson and his FNM party are the only ones who did not know. every Tom Dick and Harry knew.
They took their insurance money and abandon the hotel. No surprise with the airport.
Is there any clause in the Hawksbill creek agreement that requires them to maintain a Airport? How much money did Hutchison pay to acquire the shares in the Airport?.
TalRussell 4 years, 2 months ago
Why is it the comrade appointed and elected red shirts - thinks they need to keep coming up excuses for each time Whampoa serial ducks out on its obligations to rebuild their FREE port properties?
proudloudandfnm 4 years, 2 months ago
I hope Hutch is being evicted from our country as I type....
Time for them to go, they obviously have no interest in GB. GET OUT....
Well_mudda_take_sic 4 years, 2 months ago
Hutchison Whampoa and the GBPA have over the years perfected the art of bribing our corrupt p[olitical leaders so that all of the profits/gains from their investments go their way with all the losses going the way of the Bahamian people. I pity my fellow Bahamians who live in Grand Bahama and are not on the corrupt Minnis-led government's gravy train.
bogart 4 years, 2 months ago
Govt has been in bed with Hutchinson and GBPA. First the govt has been beholden to hoter owners for ages losing money on the Hotel to keep it open a nd last beholden to them for giving govt loans to take the Hotel off their hands. Sweeteners to Hutchinson was the Govt paying their Stamp Duty portion and paying off the legal closing entitlements staff benefits etc. From time began there was some 5% of Port Authority shares going to Govt or some individual which really never was tracked down.
Common sense should prevail that after Hutchinson, a highly technical engineering operating business that they are not going further than what they facilitated with Airport then the govt needs to analyze their findings. Erryone done know that in hurricane the Airport gets flooded. Airport is next to shoreline low gradiemt and in bay like area where waters are forced onto bridge, Queens Cove an Airpprt.
The public done know that a new airport better situated for the survival, growth, job creations, new businesses of the island is in dire need.
banker 4 years, 2 months ago
Kwasi is the wrong guy for Grand Bahama.
DiverBelow 4 years, 2 months ago
Wonder how much US$ are being taken out of Freeport by the principals in GPA & HW instead of Bah$, this nations legal currency? Ever wonder how much GPA contributes to Bahama Govt. coffers? What happened to clarity & transparency? Many govt.s have come & gone on that one.
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