News
UK GIVES GREENLIGHT TO HOWARD HAMILTON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT
New, State-of-the-Art Passenger Terminal to Be Built In Providenciales
Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands. A critical step toward the construction of a new passenger terminal at the Howard Hamilton International Airport (formerly Providenciales International Airport) has occurred with the United Kingdom’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (“FCDO”) giving its approval for the redevelopment of the Airport as outlined in a Business Case recently presented by the Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (“TCIAA”) requesting permission to proceed with the project through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) programme. In addition to the construction of a new passenger terminal, the redevelopment project includes expansion works to the airside of the airport – increasing the current apron, extending the current runway, and adding a taxiway.
On Tuesday, 23rd May 2023, Paul Chandler, Director of Overseas Territories & Polar Directorate for the FCDO wrote to the Premier, Hon. Charles Washington Misick to communicate the UK’s approval of the project. In his letter, Mr Chandler noted, “It’s clear that a lot of time, effort, and expertise has gone into it for which I commend you and the team…We fully recognize and support the urgency of the project. We are also aware, however, of the risks surrounding major infrastructure projects and want to ensure that these are mitigated as far as possible. To that end, FCDO officials have been liaising with TCIAA since we received your letter on a few outstanding issues, all of which
have now been resolved.”
On 4th May 2023, the TCIAA wrote to Lord Zach Goldsmith, Minister of State (Overseas Territories, Commonwealth, Energy, Climate and Environment to formally request written approval for further consideration and pursuit of the redevelopment of the Howard Hamilton International Airport through a Public Private Partnership (“PPP”) programme. A copy of the business case justifying and outlining the proposed project was enclosed. The Hon. Premier accompanied by Her Excellency, Anya Williams the Governor (Acting) then met with His Lordship on 9th May 2023 in the UK to further discuss the project and to make the formal request for approval.
Noting the approval with favour, Premier Misick reiterated his government’s commitment to redeveloping the Howard Hamilton International Airport with a relevant life cycle of at least 40 years. The Premier commented, “The need for the redevelopment of the Airport has been classified as critical, necessary, and long overdue by the government. Though the process has been long in getting to this point, it was a necessary and responsible one. The TCIAA has spent the past year engaged with international expert consultants conducting the relevant studies, doing the necessary market testing, and developing what in the end was a very highly technical, meticulously prepared, and strong business case that the UK has now endorsed. The next step is for the project to be appraised by the House of Assembly to allow the TCIAA to proceed with its planned Pre-Qualification of Interested Bidders Stage. The Government is committed to progressing this quickly.”
Hon. Arlington “Chuck” Musgrove, Minister with responsibility for the Airports Authority praised the TCIAA for its achievement noting, “Several people fail to understand that the work the TCIAA has been doing over the past year to reach this crucial point in the redevelopment of the Airport is commendable. Many across the region have done similar projects and have responded to the TCIAA’s process with admiration and expressed the sentiment of wishing they had taken a similar approach with its research and stakeholder engagements to establish a project of integrity and with the execution of good governance. Since the decision was made to pursue a PPP in the summer of 2022, on a nearly weekly basis the Hon. Attorney General and her team assisted by the UK Firm, Ashurst, along with the Director of Contracts, the Chairman and Legal Counsel for the TCIAA, and a legal team (GIDE) acting for the Consultants and the TCIAA have been meeting to review and consider the necessary measures to be taken and adjustments needing to be made to not only facilitate the project but to secure good governance.”
“The TCIAA and TCIG want the public to know that the decision to pursue a PPP programme for the redevelopment is not premised on a situation where the TCIAA and/TCIG cannot self-fund the project,” said Hon. Musgrove. “The decision to pursue a PPP is premised on a ‘big picture’ understanding and approach to value for money and the benefits which can be achieved for the greater social good of the investment need through a PPP. Together, the TCIAA and TCIG are working to develop a programme delivery that improves the quality of the infrastructure and service and increases capacity in local skills development and business opportunities.”
In the last quarter of 2021, the Government received various unsolicited presentations for the redevelopment of the airport, all of which varied in size of scope and proposal, making it abundantly clear that a consultancy was required to present the best options for the life of the redevelopment based on TCIG’s goals, preferred funding, and managing mechanism. In May 2022 the TCIAA contracted ALG Transport & Infrastructure Advisors PLC (“ALG”) as feasibility and transaction advisors for the Howard Hamilton International Airport Redevelopment Project. The scope of the engagement includes defining an appropriate scope, structure, and risk allocation for the Public Private Partnership (PPP) or Public Finance Initiative (PFI) transaction through the required technical and legal studies to ensure maximum value for the use of public resources for the modernization and operation of the airport; developing a comprehensive Invitation to Tender for the tendering process; conducting a transparent tendering procedure to attract a private investor to finance, design, expand, operate and maintain the airport; and leading in the implementation of the PPP.
Under the proposed programme, the TCIAA will retain ownership of the Airport with a maximum 30-year period for the funding/payback arrangement. It is envisioned that through a meticulously designed and executed procurement exercise involving a pre-qualification stage, a renowned international airport operator could be engaged for the operation and maintenance of the airport while the construction of the terminal will be via a local investor or a consortium thereof, who would in the process of preparing themselves for construction of the project contract the requisite skills and project experts experienced in the construction of airports within the similar scope contemplated. Another feature of the redevelopment project is that there will be no impact on TCIG’s debt status. TCIG’s remuneration would be the result of a structured revenue share scheme or dividend repayment policy depending on whether the project is structured as a PPP or developed with Public funding/financing.
Godfrey Smith, CEO of the TCIAA commented, “With the approval now given by the UK, it is important to know that the Business Case continues to develop. As the project progresses we will need to continuously assess our data, measuring our risks and opportunities, to procure a contract and development that a decade from now, we can remain proud of and have confidence in.” Mr Smith and the Chairman accompanied by the Permanent Secretaries for Finance and Border Control will attend the Global Airport Development (Americas) Conference next week where the TCIAA will be presenting a session on the TCI, the project, and the significance of airport developments on reflecting and enhancing the Islands’ identity. The following week, other members of the Board along with members of the Management Team will attend an IATA-sponsored Master Planning Course aimed at improving local skills in the planning and project management of Airport Master Plan development. The development of a Strategic Master Plan covering all of TCI’s airports is a priority project for the TCIAA during the 2023-2024 fiscal year.
The TCIAA is currently committed to a timeline in which it hopes to complete the procurement exercise within the current calendar year. With UK approval now given and local Government approval now imminent, the TCIAA has now shifted its attention to the preparation of data and documents related to the tendering process for the assignment of the concession of the Airport including Project Information Memorandum, Invitation for Prequalification (IFP), Invitation to Tender (ITT), legal/tender evaluation criteria and Draft PPP Contract. With swift approvals as desired, TCIG and TCIAA could commence the procurement stage of the project as early as late June 2023/ early July 2023.
As a further observation of the project, Premier Misick commented: “The current approach to the project is a process aimed at striking a balance between four internationally established principles around what amount to value for money. That is, the process and development itself, must be economic, efficient, effective, and most importantly equitable. To this end, the success of the deliverables intended under the redevelopment project will be measured beyond the product output (i.e. the airport terminal). What matters most in the project’s success is its social and economic impact on the people of the TCI and our ability to design a programme which effectively monitors and manages it to the advantage of the TCI.”
Bahamas News
Sister Province/Island Relationship Agreement Signed between Grand Bahama Island and Hunan Province
By LLONELLA GILBERT
Bahamas Information Services
NASSAU, The Bahamas — A significant milestone was made in the development of bilateral relations between the Governments of The Bahamas and the People’s Republic of China by the signing of the Sister Province/Island Relationship Agreement between Grand Bahama Island and Hunan Province.
The signing took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, April 23, 2024. The Hon. Ginger Moxey, Minister for Grand Bahama; the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville, Minister of Health and Wellness; Kingsley Smith, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry for Grand Bahama and Joel Lewis, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry for Grand Bahama represented The Bahamas at the signing.
His Excellency Mao Weiming, Governor of Hunan Provincial People’s Government; Qu Hai, Secretary General of Hunan Provincial People’s Government; Cui Wei, Charge d’Affaires, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China; and Yang Peiran, Interpreter represented the People’s Republic of China.
Minister Moxey explained that in February 2022, she and the former Chinese Ambassador to The Bahamas, Her Excellency Dai Qingli began discussion on the establishment of a province-island relationship between Hunan Province and Grand Bahama Island because of their “immense synergy”.
“Hunan has a vibrant creative industry and its capital city, Changsha is known as the entertainment capital of China, whilst Grand Bahama is poised to become the home of entertainment in ‘Our Bluepoint for Change’.”
She said Hunan Province boasts 11 industrial sectors and Grand Bahama is the industrial capital of The Bahamas. Further, innovation driven development has been a new driving force for Hunan, while Grand Bahama is poised to become the home of innovation for The Bahamas.
Minister Moxey said she is confident that an exchange of knowledge, ideas and culture will happen between the residents of Hunan Province and Grand Bahama.
“There is potential for robust trade in various sectors, opportunities for tourism promotion and intercultural appreciation, exchanges to support performing arts programs on our island, foster growth within the Orange Economy, and tap into China’s innovation, technology and vast expertise.”
She said that the formal signing aligns with the mission of Sister Cities International, which is to promote peace through mutual respect, understanding and cooperation, one community at a time.
The Minister said, “Through collaborative programs and initiatives, this connection will support the government’s vision to diversity Grand Bahama’s economy to become the Home of Maritime and Logistics, Home of Events and Entertainment and Home of Innovation.”
She noted that in addition to signing the agreement, she looks forward to Grand Bahama residents benefitting from the signing of the Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding between Central South University and University of The Bahamas (UB), which will expand educational and technical cooperation between the two universities. The northern campus of UB is located in Grand Bahama.
His Excellency Mao Weiming said although geographically far apart, China and The Bahamas are friends with mutual respect and understanding as well as sincerity.
He explained that 27 years ago, both countries established diplomatic relations and China and The Bahamas have deepened their cooperation, strengthened their friendship and carried out many activities in the field of economy, trade and people-to-people exchange.
His Excellency recalled that in August 2022, he and Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance the Hon. Philip Davis had a video conference where they both reached a consensus to cooperate in order to usher a new chapter in the relationship between Hunan and The Bahamas.
“Today, we are here to sign a sister-to-sister relationship between Hunan and Grand Bahama. It is [a] concrete move to implement
our consensus reached before and also to embark on a new journey of friendly exchanges.”
He added, “By establishing the relationship of sister cities, I believe the two sides will develop further in terms of economic and trade cooperation, people to people exchange, as well as friendship, and we will embrace new opportunities and deliver concrete benefits for the two peoples.”
He explained that Hunan, which is the home town of Chairman Mao, the founder of the People’s Republic of China, has developed very advanced industries of manufacturing, agriculture, education, culture as well as tourism.
His Excellency said he believes that Hunan and Grand Bahama enjoy very broad room for cooperation.
He said, “More efforts should be made to conduct cooperation in the fields of agriculture, tourism, culture, education and the film industry so as to realize a connectivity between our two sides in terms of logistics and the platform cooperation; so as to deliver concrete benefits for the people and to make our due contribution to the bilateral relationship between China and The Bahamas.”
PHOTO CAPTION
A significant milestone was made in the development of bilateral relations between the Governments of The Bahamas and the People’s Republic of China by the signing of the Sister Province/Island Relationship Agreement between Grand Bahama Island and Hunan Province. The signing took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, April 23, 2024. Shown from left: Qu Hai, Secretary General of Hunan Provincial People’s Government; Cui Wei, Charge d’Affaires, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China; Yang Peiran, Interpreter H.E. Mao Weiming, Governor of Hunan Provincial People’s Government; the Hon. Ginger Moxey, Minister for Grand Bahama; the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville, Minister of Health and Wellness; Kingsley Smith, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry for Grand Bahama and Joel Lewis, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry for Grand Bahama.
(BIS Photos/Anthon Thompson)
Nassau, Bahamas: The Nassau Cruise Port has donated $1.95 million towards projects that will assist the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources in its aim to increase food security for The Bahamas.
The donation officially occurred at the Ministry’s offices recently, where Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources Hon. Jomo Campbell, Minister of Labour Hon. Pia Glover-Rolle, Permanent Secretary Neil Campbell and Nassau Cruise Port CEO Mike Maura listened to a number of presentations including one for a poultry programme for schools, a chicken broiler production programme, the redevelopment of the Blue Hill Road Farmers Market and an Authentic Bahamian Cultural Concept Store,
Mr. Maura said he was impressed by the presentations.
“I had the privilege to listen to the presentations and review presentations that touched on food security and the need for us to be self-sufficient, which as a Bahamian I support completely. At the Nassau Cruise Port, we get excited about the prospects of offering more authentic food to the millions of visitors that we have each year,” he said.
“And then, in addition to that, we had presentations around the further development of our artisans, which is so important to us as well. The guests visiting our shores are looking for something that really touches The Bahamas and can’t be found somewhere else. The Nassau Cruise Port has made a pledge to BAIC and its affiliates. We will be supporting the projects that were presented and we can’t wait to get started.”
Minister Glover-Rolle, who is also the Member of Parliament for Golden Gates, hailed Nassau Cruise Port as a “great community partner.”
“Thank you for the opportunity to not only present but agreeing to participate. Our Minister of Agriculture has a goal of reducing food imports by 25 percent by the year 2025 and our project in the Golden Gates Community speaks to that,” she said.
“We have a number of backyard farmers, farmers and fishers in our community in Golden Gates. Being able to use the Blue Hill Road Farmers Market, which is going to be dubbed the ‘Fish Fry of the South,’ as a hub for food security but also a hub where artisans and handicraft persons can come and sell their wares is wonderful. So, we are happy that you have agreed to partner with us and we look forward to a partnership and we hope to welcome some of your visitors when this amazing renovation is done.”
Minister Campbell also lauded the Nassau Cruise Port for its efforts.
“I would like to say thank you to the presenters for the presentations that are several steps in the right direction for our country, to Mr. Maura and his board at the Nassau Cruise Port and I would like to say thanks to God for this partnership and bringing us all together as we move forward, upward, together in building a better, brighter, future for The Bahamas,” he said.
Caribbean News
Agriculture Ministry Providing Two Water Trucks to Serve St. Elizabeth and St. Catherine
#Kingston, Jamaica, April 24, 2024 – The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining is to unveil two more water trucks this week, which will be used to service communities in St. Elizabeth and St. Catherine.
Portfolio Minister, Hon. Floyd Green, made the disclosure during Wednesday’s (April 24) post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House.
He also informed that of the $90 million earmarked to support farmers being impacted by the current drought, the Ministry will be
providing additional support for storage and drip-irrigation systems.
“So, we have targeted about 600 water tanks and about 400 12-millimetre drip irrigation hoses, and that distribution has already started. Additionally, we have earmarked about $8 million to really help with our livestock farmers,” Mr. Green said.
“We know the difficulty that you’re facing now in this time; [it’s] very hard to get the right nutritional support for your animals. As such, we will be providing some hay, and we will [also] provide some trucking of water to you. Again, our livestock farmers, if you are in need, please contact the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) and let us see how we can help in these times,” he further stated.
Mr. Green also encouraged farmers to download the RADA App, so that the Agency can “help guide you, not only in relation to what is happening on the rainfall side, but also in relation to your integrated pest management”.
“We do see some increases of certain types of pests during this time, and it’s important that our farmers are paying attention to that. It’s also important that you’re taking drought management seriously [by undertaking] soil mulching, looking at planting drought-tolerant crops, timely harvesting, implementing land husbandry treatments and contour ditches,” he stated.
Contact: Latonya Linton
Release: JIS
Photo Caption: Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, speaking during Wednesday’s (April 24) post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House.
Donald De La Haye Photo
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