Minister of Transport and Aviation Glennys Hanna-Martin was hesitant on Sunday to reveal any information on today’s contract signing, and only stated that the name of the contract holder and “all facts and figures would be announced tomorrow [Monday].”
Mrs Hanna-Martin also clarified reports published in the May 15 edition of The Guardian, under the headline “NIA revamp set – Company selected for $200 million upgrade.”
According to the minister, a guest Friday on ZNS’ “Immediate Response” talk show, the government was unsure of what it would cost to transform NIA, but the $200 million figure outlined on the talk show, was estimated by a consulting firm, Burke-Hillman. The Guardian was told in an earlier interview in January that a master plan of NIA was commissioned to Burke-Hillman regarding terminal development by the former Free National Movement (FNM) administration.
Mrs Hanna-Martin said “nine” and not “40” management firms submitted proposals to manage the airport, but 40 firms had expressed an interest. She said when one of the nine companies was selected, they would have to review the master plan issued to Burke Hillman, and determine which aspects of the plan they would keep and terminate. “I identified that figure [$200 million] as coming from that report. I said further that any company selected would be reviewed. I said it in very simple English,” explained the minister.
According to Mrs Hanna Martin, a committee had been appointed by the Prime Minister to review the submission of proposals, of which a recommendation would be made shortly. She further stated that the management company selected would also be involved in capital works in conjunction with the government, and would also have to market NIA to attract other carriers.
In a Jan. 27 interview with The Guardian regarding runway 14/32, Mrs Hanna-Martin explained that the Airport Authority had been moving in a very “focused fashion” to address the challenges at NIA. She said the runway was declared to be in a “critical urgent state” and it could possibly
Mrs Hanna-Martin said then that her ministry was being assisted by consultant Jim Wilding, the past president of the National Airports of the United States. She said he was reviewing the possible refurbishment of runway 14/32, helping the ministry with management and capital development of the airport and and the imposition of a passenger facility charge.
Tamara McKenzie, The Nassau Guardian
