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History continues to be made at the Argyle International Airport site as the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the International Airport Development Company (IADC) continue, what at first seemed near impossible, to build an international airport at Argyle. Over the last three years there have been major accomplishments, and this trend continues in 2011.
After nearly one year of negotiations, IADC and the Overseas Engineering and Construction Company (OECC) signed the contract valued at US$26.5 million for the construction of the Argyle airport passenger terminal building and electrical sub-station building. This was a highly anticipated event, one that Vincentians had eagerly awaited. Hence, when it was announced that the ground breaking ceremony was to take place on August 7th 2011, many persons journeyed to Argyle to witness the symbolic start of the construction of the terminal building. Actual construction work on the terminal building began five days after the ground breaking ceremony.
While this was taking place, work continued on the removal and leveling of Fort and McConnie Yammie Hills. Much of the rocks in this area has been blasted and excavated down to the level of the runway. Work in this area will continue in 2012.
Of great significance as well was the completion of the box culverts in the 1st kilometer of the project and the start of construction of a second drainage system in the 2nd kilometer.
In preparation for the pavement works, our engineers, with the help of environmentalists from Cuba, have identified several suitable areas on site for the location of Asphalt, Concrete and Stone Crushing Plants. IADC has decided to purchase these equipment and to hire an in-house work force of 70 persons to do the asphalt and concrete pavement works on the project thereby keeping the cost of these installations at a minimum.
LOOKING AHEAD
The year 2012 is expected to be a watershed year for IADC as it revves up the construction engine to ensure that the project remains on schedule for completion by the end of 2013.
Included among the works for 2012 are: (a) the installation of the Asphalt, Concrete and Stone Crushing Plants, (b) the start of pavement works for the runway and aprons, (c) the removal of the Catholic Church, Argyle Apartments, P’tani Resorts, (d) the cutting of the hill on which the church and Argyle Apartments stand, (e) the construction of a set of culverts under the runway for the Yambou River, (f) the continuation of work on McConnie Yammie Hill, Fort Hill, Colonel Anderson Hill and Johnson Hill, (g) the completion of the drainage system in the 2nd kilometer.
Additionally, work will begin on the creation of embankments in the 3rd kilometer of the project, as well as work on the sea defenses at the North Eastern end of the runway. Work will also continue on the construction of the passenger terminal Building, while tenders are expected to go out for the construction of the other landside facilities including, the Fire and Rescue Station, the control tower and cargo terminal Buildings.
Attention will be paid to the completion of the Mt. Pleasant and Argyle Gardens Roads to provide good quality access to persons residing and visiting those areas.
Indeed much work lies ahead of us, but much has also been done. As we close 2011, the IADC says thanks to everyone for continued support on this most important project, as we work hand in hand for the future economic development of our beautiful country.
We trust that everyone has a beautiful Christmas and a very prosperous new year.
Construction work on the Argyle International Airport Terminal Building has begun.
Work on the terminal building got going on Wednesday August 10th, 2011 two days earlier than expected. The actual start of construction followed the symbolic turning of the sod which took place on Sunday August 7th, 2011.
Hundreds of Vincentians journeyed to Argyle to witness the ground breaking. It was an occasion that heard addresses from Chairman and CEO of the IADC, Dr. Rudy Matthias who expressed satisfaction in seeing those who once doubted the project become converted and have been made believers. “When we set off on this journey in August 2005, there were many who did not believe.
Today I see, as we get closer and closer to the finish line, we are being joined by those who were unbelievers and “faint of heart”.
But it is better late than never. I am happy that now they believe!
As a small nation, we can hardly accomplish anything meaningful if we are consumed by self-doubt, and lack self-confidence.
To achieve anything meaningful, we have to be brave, bold and confident!”
Dr. Matthias also outlined the makeup of the terminal building.
3 floors - total floor area: 171,100 sq ft (E.T. Joshua – 30,000 sq ft)
Peak passenger hour: 800 persons, - 400 in and 400 out!
Accommodate 1.5 million passengers per year. (This is more than 7 times the number of passengers currently passing through E. T. Joshua Airport in any one year.)
Departure lounge and concessions area (21,000 sq ft)
Roof top restaurant and waving gallery area (13,000 sq ft)
Conference centre facility, with roof top garden area 11,000 sq ft
Several car parks: Commercial car park (250 cars), 10 large buses, and ample space for taxis and rental cars.
We are building a truly first class facility that caters for future growth and development!
Chairman of Caricom, Dr. Denzil Douglas, Prime Minister of St. Kitts/Nevis also addressed the gathering. In his very brief remarks, Dr. Douglas noted that the terminal building was being commenced during a week when the global economic crisis especially impacted the United States, which saw its credit ratings downgraded from a perfect AAA to AA+ for the first time. Douglas added that the effects would be felt within CARICOM, including its sub-regional grouping, the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, where St. Kitts and Nevis and SVG are part of an economic and political union.
Ambassador Weber Shih of Taiwan also addressed Sunday’s ground breaking. Ambassador Shih noted the similarities of Taiwan and SVG. He Highlighted the benefits that this international airport will bring to the country whilst stressing the need for it in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
The feature address was delivered by Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Ralph Gonsalves. During his address Dr. Gonsalves among other things updated Vincentians on the amount of money paid out so far to property owners at Argyle and the amount which remains to be paid out. According to the Prime Minister, 22 million dollars have already been paid out for 131 parcels of vacant land, and there is another 25 million dollars still to be paid out for 174 additional parcels of vacant land. Dr. Gonsalves assured those gathered that negotiations are ongoing and noted that they will get through by the grace of God. He urged Vincentians to have faith, stressing that our faith in God and the grace of God will see us through.
Taiwan is financing the US$26.5 million dollar terminal building, which is being constructed by Taiwanese firm OECC.
CECI Engineering Consultants Inc., another Taiwanese firm, was awarded the US$3.9 million contract for the design and supervision of construction of the landside facilities which include the passenger and cargo terminal buildings.
Today was indeed an historic day in life of St. Vincent and the Grenadines with the Argyle international Airport moving one step closer to completion. This, with the signing of a contract for the construction of the terminal building this morning July 12, 2011 at Cabinet room.
The contract was signed between the International Airport Development Company (IADC) and Taiwanese firm, Overseas Engineering and Construction Company Ltd (OECC). Chairman and CEO of the IADC Dr. Rudolph Matthias and Corporate Secretary Rochelle Forde signed on behalf of the IADC, while, Mr. Peter Chung-Zen signed on behalf of the OECC.
The signing ceremony also heard brief remarks from Dr. Matthias, Mr. Peter Chung-Zen, Taiwanese Ambassador Weber Shih, Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon. Dr. Douglas Slater and Acting Prime Minister Hon. Girlyn Miguel.
This morning’s signing ceremony saw attendances from several government ministers, senior civil servants including ambassadors based at some of SVG’s overseas missions, members of the IADC staff and the media.
The contract is worth US$26, 500,000.00. It covers construction of the passenger terminal building, electrical substation, internal and external signage, and related preliminaries.
Background on the Terminal Building
During the year 2009, IADC finalized its design objectives for the passenger terminal building and other landside facilities and awarded the contract for the design and supervision to a Taiwanese firm, CECI Engineering Consultants Inc. This design contract is valued at US$3.3 million.
The landside facilities include: the Terminal building, Cargo Terminal building, Signage, Fire and Rescue Station, Control Tower, Roads, Drainage and Parking lot.
The passenger terminal building will have 3 floors, with 12,065 square meters of floor space. This total floor area is more than 3 times the floor area of the terminal building at the E.T. Joshua Airport.
The Argyle terminal building is designed to accommodate 1.4 million passengers per year. This is more than 5 times the number of passengers currently passing through the E. T. Joshua Airport in any one year. The Argyle Airport Terminal Building is therefore sized to accommodate the expected growth in passenger traffic in the medium and long term.
Construction of the passenger terminal building is expected within 28 months and should begin by early August 2011.
Later this year, IADC will enter into contracts with other private firms for the construction of the Fire and Rescue Station, Cargo Terminal Building and Control Tower. However, IADC has decided to do the site works, internal roads, drains and parking areas, using resources already at its disposal.
Published on 27.05.2011
Searchlight Newspaper
Written by: HAWKINS NANTON
THE New Democratic Party (NDP) is not in a position to lecture him or to pose a lecture in the form of a question on the delay of the terminal building to be constructed at the Argyle International Airport project, says Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves.
At Tuesday’s sitting of Parliament, Dr. Godwin Friday, Member of Parliament for the Northern Grenadines, asked why was there a delay with the construction on the Argyle International Airport Terminal Building; had the Government secured funding for the terminal building; will contributions be made by the Taiwanese Government and if so, how much. Responding to Friday’s questions, Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves said his administration had already explained that by July 2010, CECI Engineering Consultants of Taiwan had completed the designs for the terminal building and other landside facilities and that the issue had been put to tender.
The tender for the construction of the facilities was issued on June 7, 2010, with a tender submission date set for July 9, 2010. He said all prospective tenderers requested an extension, and August 16, 2010, was given as the new deadline date. Dr. Gonsalves said after the extension period had passed, some prospective tenderers had again requested another exntension of about 10 – 12 weeks, but this was not granted and the International Airport
Development Company (IADC) proceeded to negotiate with Overseas Engineering Construction Company Ltd (OECC), of Taiwan.
The Prime Minister disclosed that on November 30, 2010, the Board of Directors of IADC took the decision to award the contract to OECC. He said OECC communicated its acceptance of the contract and this was followed by protracted negotiations. “These negotiations are now complete. In fact, every time we thought that there was an agreement, something else came back,” said Dr. Gonsalves, noting that he did not know whether the representative of
the Northern Grenadines had ever been involved in the contract for a building beyond his house.
Dr. Gonsalves said it was finally agreed that the price for the construction of the terminal building would be $26.5 million, which covers the cost for the construction of the passenger terminal building, the electrical sub-station and external signs. He said the contract requires OECC to complete construction of the terminal buildings within 28 months, which is set to start by June 2011. Dr. Gonsalves said failing to complete the project within the set time
frame, with completion due date being September 2013, there will be a penalty.
Dr. Gonsalves said in the meantime, earthworks are being carried out at the airport site and 90 per cent will be completed by year’s end. The construction of the international airport project is the largest capital project that has been undertaken by this country, said Gonsalves. Secondly, the Prime Minister said for 50 years, elected governments here had talked about constructing one, including the last New Democratic Party (NDP) administration. “In the case of Sir James, in the 1998 elections, he said he had US$100 million in his back pocket for it. This is the same project which Sir James in his autobiography ‘Beyond the Islands’ expressed his profound disappointment in the lack of wisdom of his successor. He said it is his biggest regret in his entire life not to have done something about airport development in St.Vincent,” said Dr. Gonsalves. Dr. Gonsalves said that the project is one that the NDP opposed at every stage until one week before the December 2010 General Elections.
In terms of financing, Dr. Gonsalves said the Government of Taiwan has pledged US$30 million or EC$81.5 million for the design and construction of the terminal building.
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