By Vernon Daley, Parliamentary ReporterJAMAICA LABOUR Party (JLP) spokesman on tourism, Ed Bartlett, last Tuesday raised concerns about the lack of details regarding the divestment of the Sangster International Airport.
Speaking in the House of Representatives, Mr. Bartlett complained that Parliament was being asked to approve legislation relating to the divestment arrangement, even though the details of the concession agreement had not been placed before it.
"The House is due the courtesy of being provided with the agreement," the Opposition spokesman said. He was speaking during a debate on amendments to the Airports (Economic Regulation) (Expansion Fund) Order which was approved by the House.
Earlier this year, the government signed an agreement with an international consortium, MBJ Airports Ltd., which has taken over the management of the Sangster International Airport.
As part of that development, the Airports (Economic Regulation) (Expansion Fund) has been approved by Parliament, making it compulsory for all passengers departing Jamaica at the Sangster International Airport and the Norman Manley International Airport to pay a US$5 levy. The new fee, which will be used to improve both airports, came into being on February 15.
"We have a concern that this House will be asked to sign off on an arrangement that will have to change in the next few days or months," Mr. Bartlett said.
Minister of Transport and Works, Robert Pickersgill, who piloted the amendments to the Order, tried to reassure his colleagues that the arrangement was not a sweetheart deal for the international consortium.
He explained that control of the airport will revert to Jamaica after 30 years. He added that as part of the deal, US$16 million was paid over to the government on signing of the agreement.
"So, I don't know what the Member is taking about when he talks about sweetheart deal," the Minister said.
Under the agreement, the concessionaire will put up a capital investment of US$190 million for the expansion of Sangster International Airport. The expansion will see the installation of six jet bridges on the existing terminal, a modern computerised security control system, and the construction of a new terminal and a 12-gate concourse.
