Caribbean Aviation, which flew in some ministers to the island, also made its inaugural flight, which will lead to bi-weekly flights.
However, an air terminal has not yet been built and the island does not have “port of entry” status.
Residents from Rum Cay and San Salvador gathered under a wooden structure, yesterday for a ceremony to open and bless the barren airstrip.
190ï¾–room address
Prime Minister Christie in his address announced that a 190-room resort, equipped with a 190-slip marina was in the works, by an investment group to be built on the island. He urged residents to increase their entrepreneurial spirit, to assist in the development of the island or be faced with other Family Islanders. “This airstrip,” he said, would make a fundamental difference on the island, with the potential to attract tourist.
European union
His Excellency Gerd Jarchow, European Union Commissioner to The Bahamas, said in his brief remarks that “It’s always a pleasure for me when one of our projects is completed. I visited this island last year, saw it, and immediately loved it.”
Mr. Jarchow noted that because of Rum Cay’s central location, it was full of potential. “There are endless possibilities for diving and sport fishing, potable water and a potential port of entry for cruise ships,” he said.
Airstrip overdue
Minister of Works and Utilities, Bradley Roberts said the development of the airstrip was overdue by 30 years.
He noted that the former unsafe dirt strip, 2,300 feet long by 30 feet in width, proved to be a challenge for even the most skilled pilots.
The new airstrip – 4,500 feet long by 100 feet wide has remedied the problem, he said, as it is now has an additional verge of 200 feet on either side for aircrafts with larger wing spans. The airstrip was designed to meet International Civil Aviation Standards. “Having the capacity to handle medium size, short haul aircrafts similar to the Dash- 8 presently operated by the National Flag Carrier and private carriers,” he said. Four miles of road pavement was also included in the project, he said, noting that contractor, Emile Knowles, completed the job at a cost of $2.7 million dollars.
EU contributes $1 million
The European Union (EU), he said contributed just over $1 million dollars to the project. Additionally, Mr. Roberts said Mr. Knowles still had a bit of remedial work to do. “Generally the work was satisfactorily carried out,” he said revealing that a terminal building was also in the works, “with proper restrooms to accommodate visitors coming to this island.”
He expressed sheer gratitude to the commitment of the EU and other government agencies like the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
Thank you
Leslie Miller, Minister of Trade and Industry, also on hand for the opening, thanked the European Commission for making the airstrip a reality.
“Today also serves as another tangible example of the continuation and further enhancement of the close cooperation in the areas of trade and aid between The Bahamas and the European Union over the past 28 years. This cooperation has been embodied in successive loan agreements since 1975, and in the current Contonou agreement,” he stated.
Mr. Miller explained that under the agreement The Bahamas was able to export “our fisheries products and rum products to countries of Western Europe.”
He said the airstrip was just the beginning of technical training, as a recent meeting with Mr. Jarchow showed that, “we have a grant of $7.2 million Euros that’s roughly $8.5 million dollars.” He stressed that those funds had already been earmarked for assisting in the further development of the Family Islands.
Friday also ushered in the start of home coming festivities on the island.
Jimenita Swain, The Nassau Guardian
