Premier Dr. Orlando Smith made two major announcements during a Thursday press conference, saying that the airport expansion project has been approved by the United Kingdom and that the cruise pier project will undergo an audit by an international firm.
As with all major capital projects, the airport initiative requires UK approval as long as the territory is not in compliance with the borrowing guidelines laid out in the Protocols for Effective Financial Management.
With the territory receiving the UK’s approval, Dr. Smith said, the government hopes to secure financing by mid-year for the project, which in the past has been estimated to cost some $400 million.
The premier also said he’s ordering an audit to be conducted on the cruise pier project.
“I wish to make it clear that my government is committed to the highest standard of transparency and accountability as it relates to the development of this project,” he said. “That is why I have ordered an audit into this project to be carried out by an internationally recognised firm.”
Dr. Smith declined to name the firm that will conduct the audit, but he did say the audit will be made public once it is completed.
See the Jan. 28, 2016 edition for full coverage.
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