CONSULTANTS TOLD TO BEGIN AIRPORT DESIGN

Word from London is that Scott Wilson Kirkpatrick, the consultants for the expansion of the Wallblake Airport, have been requested to proceed immediately with the detailed design work and to refine the cost estimates within the agreed funding amount. According to a press statement on the talks between the Anguilla delegation and UK officials, consensus was reached on a planning figure for the project but the amount was not disclosed.

It was stated that various options were presented by the consultants for the design and supervision of the project and that consensus was reached on positions to take forward, refining the options to two. The discussions focused on the affordable option that best meets the development objectives of Anguilla, with the UK Government officials agreeing to put forward a proposal for borrowing to Baroness Amos, Minister for the Overseas Terriroties, for her consideration. The London officials also agreed to work closely with the Government of Anguilla in an initiative to determine the availability of European Development Funds for the project and to access those funds as soon as possible. It was also agreed that the Department for International Development would continue to fund the airport project consultants and the Anguilla Government would finance construction, land acquisition and related costs.

After the meeting with Baroness Amos the Anguillian delegation held further meetings with officials on such matters as transshipment, guidelines for borrowing, health development and fire services. The delegation reported substantial improvement in the Anguilla Government’s fiscal performance in 2002 and a positive outlook for significant growth in the economy and continued fiscal improvement in 2003.

The statement added that agreement was reached with the UK Government officials in discussion on transshipment for a joint approach in dealing with the European Commission particularly residual issues from the transshipment operations conducted under the 1991 OCT Decision in 1998 and 1999.


The delegation comprises Chief Minister, Osbourne Fleming, Minister of Finance Victor Banks, Permanent Secretary for Economic Development Marcel Fahie and Airport Project Manager, Fritz Smith.