Airport Expansion Project grounded? Gov’t ‘considering next steps’
For months now, the National Democratic Party (NDP) government has been silent about what is taking place with the expansion project and they have also missed their deadline in signing a contract for the works to begin, after a preferred bidder, China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) was selected in December 2016.
“A preferred bidder for the airport project was selected at the end of 2016. Some discussions have taken place, including with potential financiers and regulatory authorities. The government is now considering its next steps,” stated Hon Pickering.
What’s there to consider?
However, Opposition Member, Honourable Julian Fraser RA (R3), posing his questions to Dr Pickering, wanted solid answers in this matter.
According to Honourable Fraser, “Now he is telling me that the government is considering its options? What’s there to consider? Isn’t it obvious?”
The former Leader of the Opposition commented that the government should not be considering their next step based on the fact that a preferred bidder was selected and studies have been conducted, among other things.
Stating that the government is “considering its next steps,” Hon Fraser firmly asked, “Are you going ahead or are you not going ahead?”
In response, the Natural Resources Minister emphasised that the government is considering its next step.
Members of the National Democratic Party (NDP) government had previously expressed their disapproval of the airport expansion project going forward at this time.
Airport project vital to building economy
Dr Pickering strongly believes that the expansion of the airport will play a vital role in building the VI economy.
“An important objective of any government is to support the development of the economy to the benefit of all its citizens. It is widely recognised that improved air access is one route to supporting the economic development of the Territory.”
In addition, he described that the extension of the runway will be about 7,100 feet and this will in turn accommodate larger airline fleet to fly directly to the Beef Island runway.
“At present, established US airlines all cite the inability to operate from the BVI due to the runway length,” said Honourable Pickering.
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17 Responses to “Airport Expansion Project grounded? Gov’t ‘considering next steps’”
So how is that hearing the cries of our people if all the time the strategy was to delay it until 2018? Based on your thought process it sounds deceitful to me as the stance made by some of the legislators in the house was just theatrics and part of a strategy to make the people feell that they are hearing their cries when all along the plan was just to delay until election year. The power of incumbency is strong but let me tell you something the will of the people is stronger. NDP bought the last election and I am sure they are of the belief they can do the same for the next after all they have the power of the purse and the power to make major decisions. What did that power bring us last election: TPP overruns by 30 million, 1 .2 million dollar wall, broken promises of a policy of transparency, rushed and poorly done road works etc.
You can fool some people all the time, but you cannot foll all the people all the time.
Talk: do not think the people
Of this territory needs a better air port(it is not a political question)....you keep the faith and keep your chin up
Dr. Pickering weak he allowed M**on and others to kill his airport project for their own selfish reasons. We need the airlift, but thank god this government is on their last term