Prime Minister, Dr the Right Honourable Keith Mitchell, says the upgrade and rehabilitation of the Maurice Bishop International Airport (MBIA) is critical to the further development of Grenada, particularly as the country seeks to position itself for the anticipated recovery in the tourism sector.
In the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, questions have been asked about the timing of the project. At the ground-breaking ceremony for the project on Wednesday, Dr Mitchell said, “This is a necessary investment and the timing is right. The provision of the most modern and technologically advanced facility is crucial for the tourism industry specifically, and generally, for the economic growth and development of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique.”
The Prime Minister further stated that, “As a Government, we are duty-bound to provide safe, secure, efficient and world-class airport facilities and services that are consistent with international standards and which will in fact, support the economic development of our country. This is a responsibility we do not take lightly and it is in fact included in the mission statement of the Grenada Airports Authority.”
The Prime Minister cited the airport upgrade as a major project under the Public Sector Investment Programme, and noted too, that the country’s development thrusts must be spurred by a combination of public and private sector projects.
He said, “As we move forward, the growth of the country and its economy, is crucial for the provision of jobs and improving the lives of people. We are happy with the level of development we are seeing in both the public and private sectors and we expect to see some excellent opportunities for growth and development in 2021 and onwards.”
The airport upgrade and rehabilitation project is funded through a concessional loan from the People’s Republic of China, the first loan that Grenada has taken from China. The Prime Minister is confident that Grenada will be able to repay its loans and as such, there is no basis for the speculation that the airport will fall into China’s hands.
Dr Mitchell said, “The data shows that for the last 6 years, this Government has managed the country’s economy and fiscal affairs, most optimally, compared with any other Government, including past NNP governments. That is a fact, the data shows it and numbers don’t lie. We should have been far more worried in 2012 when the debt to GDP ratio was very high but now that ratio is just over 60%, therefore the additional loan is not a reason for concern.
Ambassador Zhao Yonchen of the People’s Republic of China also addressed this issue in his remarks and he too, expressed confidence that Grenada will be able to service its loan.
Minister for Infrastructure Development, Senator the Honourable Norland Cox outlined the general objectives of the rehabilitation project which include improving the landing and takeoff conditions for aircraft, lower airport operating costs for passengers and cargo and increased passenger comfort and convenience.
Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister, Honourable Clarice Modeste-Curwen, in her remarks, also underscored the importance of the airport upgrade project saying it is necessary for the maintenance of safety standards, the further development of tourism, and facilitating more efficient cargo operations.
Coincidentally, the ground-breaking ceremony for the airport upgrade project was held on the 36th anniversary of the official opening of the then Point Salines International Airport, later renamed in honour of the country’s revolutionary leader, Maurice Bishop.
GIS
Just wait and see! How about repairing the road, Upgrading the Hospitals in St. George’s and St. Andrew’s which is desperately needed. China does nothing for nothing. Wait up Grenadians.
The government of Grenada is selling us out. . The chainese will end up spreading some type of virus to our people. They will not tell the true just as they are doing now with the world. Our people will all die because we don’t have the medical equipment to help them people. We need to stand-up. for our county.
Bunny Wailer sang *RISE UP AND TRAMPLE THE DRAGON GET THE DRAGON BEFORE HE GETS YOU* So when China raise up that flag in the airport it means that that dragon called satan rules the nation. People will forget Maurice Bishop the leader who puts the people before himself. People may disagree with me but when I hear God prophesy that when people turn their backs on Him, then a wicked ruler will be over them just like when Saul ruled over Israel I know the prophesy must come to pass. However it is written, *if the people who are called by my name shall humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways then will I hear from heaven and forgive their sins and will heal their land*. Let’s pray that when they feel the oppression again that they turn to The Most High. Shalom!
Brothers and Sisters all this Grenada and China relationship seems to be good for our development. But you must remember we are pawns in a bigger Chinese power play against the US. Be careful what you wish for.
China will end up getting paid for everyone flying in and out of our great country check all the other islands they are HELPING and they end up owning beautiful islands worldwide!!they will bring their own supplies workers at no i repeat no benefit to local people!!!!! Someone is getting rich off this scheme!!
Some interesting comments on the China/Grenada relationship. Personally, I’m not here to bash any Government. I do however, hope that the people who elect Governments based on party and personality rather than clear and concise policies will live to learn that lesson.
On the issue of the issue of airport upgrade, do we need it? yes, but not what is currently being proposed. Currently, the runway needs re-surfacing, better air traffic control and aircraft landing systems, enhanced baggage handling and x ray scanning plus improved customs and immigration check points. Given the limited aircraft and passenger traffic, there is no need for separate taxi way, air-bridge or a hotel on site.
GRENADA IS TAKING ITS FIRST EVER LOAN FROM CHINA. CHINA GRENADA LIES ARE NOW CIRCULATING AROUND THE COUNTRY. ITS NOT TO SAY GRENADIANS WOULD CONTRIBUTE ONE THING TOWARDS THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS COUNTRY. THIS AIRPORT PROJECT WILL BE GREAT AND IT WILL BENEFIT MANY PEOPLE.
YOUR PROPOGANDA CHINA/GRENADA CARD HAS NOW BEEN REVOKED. ALL COMMENTS CLAIMING THAT THE COUNTRY IS BEING SOLD OUR AND IS BEING TAKEN OVER BY CHINA ARE NOW DISMISSED. GET READY FOR THE BACKLASH FOR BEING SO BAD MINDED AND SO TERRIBLE TO SUCH DEVLOPMENT BY CHINA IN GRENADA. ITS TIME THAT WE PUT AN END TO SUCH LIES AND RUMORS
All caps eh? Sounds trumpish!
Mr prime minister, WHAT ABOUT THE AIRPORT IN CARRIACOU AND PAULS ST ANDREWS ? YOU ONLY THEM WHEN ELECTION TIME COMES. .
Keith mitchell I despise you,this multimillion dollarsair port is to bring in chinese ,artilleries,keith you sold us out. I dont like chinese I hate them god forgive,for me for useing the word hate..
Keith you burn in hell for grenada island and fir uts people,these snake, dog, rat eating people you bringing to rule us.chinese go back to your slum and leave us alone you calling us monkeys and yet you between the monkeys go back where you from. .
stop being so bad minded. god shall punish you for what you say about such good prime minister. kieth increased salaries from the 70’s by 97%, He built most of the good roads you drive on in the country. he upgraded schools and hospitals, he installed street lights which means if it wasnt for him, today you would have been a very poor blind bat driving unpaved roads. so why wish such bad things for him just because of one thing. be grateful for what you have or else bad things would come your way.
We need to come to realisation that we done nothing to help develop the country except to complain and demand government for no money. where does the money come from? everyone gives government concession to which we dont even pay a single cent towards taxes. it is only the business people who keep this country running. if it wasnt for them we would fall apart. WE ALL NEED TO CONTRIBUTE SOMETHING TOWARDS THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS COUNTRY! We can’t sit there dormant and do nothing about it! PEOPLE PLEASE STOP BLASTING THE GOVERNMENT WITH HATE BECAUSE OF CHINA! They are the ones who built mostly all roads in Grenada. They are the ones why we have street lights and they are the ones why the average salary is $10,000 and not $70 back when the Country was under the British ruling. We need to be grateful for our government and we need to be thankful. THIS AIRPORT PROJECT WOULD BENEFIT US A TON. TRUST ME. NO ONE WILL REGRET WHAT CHINA IS DOING.
People need to stop buying into this false propaganda and talk which is Destroying the Growth and Development of this country. Why when people hear the word China they think of such terrible things. China has some of the Largest construction companies around the world that have been building massive infrastructure in countries like USA, Canada, UAE and Scandanavian countries. WE ARE NOT BEING SOLD OUT AND IT IS CLEAR!!!!!!! THE CHINESE ARE DOING NOT EVEN ONE GRENADIAN CAN EVEN DO. If it wasn’t for the Chinese we wouldn’t have the National Stadium, The Housing Projects and major Infrastructure. THIS IS REVERSE RACISM AND WE ARE THE ONES BEING RACIST. Grenadians have become too bad minded. Chinese are doing something that not one Grenadian can do in the next 50 years. IF WE CANT HAVE A STRONG PATRIOTISM AND STRIVE TOWARDS BUILDING AND DEVLOPING THIS COUNTRY WE WILL FALL APART. THE CHINESE AND AMERICANS ARE THE ONES KEEPING US TOGETHER.
THIS IS GRENDA’S FIRST EVER LOAN FROM CHINA AND THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE ABLE TO PAY IT BACK! WATCH and see. GRENADIANS ARE SO BAD MINDED TO SAY THAT THE RIGHT HONORABLE KIETH MITCHELL IS SO EVIL AND CORRUPT. If it wasn’t for him we wouldn’t be driving on Paved Roads or Have street lights to see in the dark. People are so quick to jump on the propoganda train but fail to realize that The Chinese and the Government has done so much.
NO ONE IS GONNA BUY INTO THIS FALSE PROPAGANDA BULLSHIT. People need to shut up and educate them selves finding the facts.
GRENADIANS NEED TO COME TO REALISATION THAT WHEN WE CANT DEVLOP THE COUNTRY OURSELVES CHINA SEES IT AS A OPPORTUNITY TO STEP IN AND TAKE OVER. But at the same time I can’t blame china for their colonisation because we are just to poor and small minded to develop this country ourselves.