News
Why the Rush? PDM Questions Airport PPP Motion and Demands Residents get slice of the Pie
By Dana Malcolm
Staff writer
While expressing full support for the expansion of the Providenciales/Howard Hamilton International Airport, the Opposition People’s Democratic Movement says they disagree using a PPP to fund the over $400 million project and the party has serious concerns regarding how the motion greenlighting the Public-Private-Partnership was passed on July 19 (2023).
“I personally believe that the government should have looked into local resources, we currently have a BBB+ credit rating, and I believe the government has more than enough finances– whatever remaining balance that would have been required to fund this airport is where the [opportunity] comes to level the playing field for our people. We could have had the low-income, middle-class, and upper class trying to buy shares,” said Robert Been, Deputy Party Leader.
The Deputy continued, “We are not going to reach financial freedom by working on a 9 to 5— [this] is a position that you want to put your people in, to have the power, to be owners of such huge organizations.”
The government has not ruled out publicly listing the program so residents can take part in it. The government has also, however, been criticised for the lack of consultation on the method it wants to finance the expansion of the country’s No. 1 airport gateway.
Edwin Astwood, Leader of the Opposition, queried why the PNP Administration was so insistent on getting a PPP;his
Astwood has made it clear he has reason to be suspicious about how much the arrangement would eventually cost islanders; he cited other “failed” PPPs.
“Other options were presented to you. Why not consider them? Why not come to the people and let them know what is going on? If we are investing just under 500 million in the PPP in this deal, how much are we going to be paying in the future? How much will the people of the TCI be paying for the next 50 years?” He asked.
Concerns were also raised about the requirement from the UK Secretary of State that the PPP for the new airport project be properly and widely vetted by members of the House of Assembly. The PDM informed that two reports, one suggesting there were likely better options to fund the expanded airport and the other giving a green light to the PPP, were presented in tandem with the motion. The departure of members of the PNP, PDM and Governor appointed left many votes out of the process and the premier scrapped for a quorum to get the motion through to passage, said the Opposition.
“This government continues to sell the people of this country short without considering the wishes of our people. We definitely don’t believe that the majority support was given by the House of Assembly, with the backbenchers having to leave to catch a flight,” said Been referencing the fact that the bill authorizing the PPP was passed with a chunk of Parliament missing from both sides of the House.
Astwood also worries about the quality and life of this new PPP proposal and during the one on one with Magnetic Media on Friday July 28, had said, “Will my children be old women by the time we get out of this deal? How much and how long?
Yes, it (the airport redevelopment) has to be done right away but we support moving in the right direction, moving with the right action, bringing our people along, allowing our people to benefit from what is going on, the money making here in the country. And the airport is a cash cow.”
With such a momentous motion, Parliament should have adjourned providing an opportunity for all members able to make a contribution and cast a vote for or against the PPP.
“We support the urgent redevelopment— but we support moving in the right direction with the right action, bringing our people along and allowing them to benefit.”