The sentiments expressed by an investor suggesting that Grenada’s lone international airport be privatised, are not reflective of any Government position or policy on the matter.
Prime Minister Dr the Right Honourable Keith Mitchell assured the nation during a live press conference on Thursday, that Naguib Sawiris, owner of Silversands Grenada, was not speaking on behalf of the Government, but rather in a private capacity, which he has a right to do.
Endorsing comments made earlier in the week by Civil Aviation Minister Honourable Clarice Modeste-Curwen, Dr Mitchell noted that many airports around the world are privatised but said there is no consideration to privatise Grenada’s own.
The Prime Minister said, “In no party meeting throughout my period of service in Government, no parliamentary session, no Cabinet meeting, has there been any discussion about privatisation of the Maurice Bishop International Airport. Does that mean a private sector individual does not have a right to advocate it? Of course, it is their right to express their feelings on philosophical issues but in so doing, they do not articulate the position of Government. I cannot tell the gentleman what he should or shouldn’t say, but the bottom line is, he cannot speak for the Government.”
Dr Mitchell further stated, “Are we going to say that everyone who comes here and speaks publicly, is speaking for the Government? I am amazed; I find it insulting honestly. I don’t see how you can imply that a statement made by a private individual reflects a Government policy. It means that the man controls the Government, which is nonsense. The people who advocate this obviously do not have a lot of respect for me or for the Government.”
The Prime Minister also cited a general lack of balance in media reports in these and other matters, and he recalled the likes of the late Leslie Pierre who was an exemplary journalist.
GIS
PM and Madame Minister got their stories straight. Word for word.
He will be walking like an Egyptian in no time.
The Egyptian made the privatization statement to a round of applause, this indicates that several are in agreement with his idea and that is was discussed earlier in some quarters. If that were the first time that the PM and some in the government heard of this idea from the businessman then I dare say that the utterance was disrespectful to the sovereignity of Grenada, we wont know for sure. There won’t be much disagreement about a lack of customer service at MBIA , there is a long way to go in this particular regard but the private sector does not have a monopoly on delivering quality customer service, what is for certain is that Grenadians will pay more to use that facility if it were to be privatize and we do not know for certain that added amenities will be commensurate to that increase in cost. The present government for its entire tenure has managed the airport so they must take full responsibility in regards to the customer service problem, the government must embark on some sort of social engineering exercise that will change some of the bake-in ways and attitude that we have, many countries(China in hosting the Beijing olympics) have had to do this in order to interact with other peoples and there is really no reason why the Grenadian people cannot overcome this deficiency. If it is true that the government operates the airport at a $25 mil profit, then really, what is the issue , if it is the Covid, then it is just temporary and no different from almost all airports in the region. I do suspect that this has to do with more than just covid and that this privatization issue was discussed by those who stand to benefit the most from such an occurence. The tourism sector must not be allowed to have hegemony on such an infrastructure, the private sector can sponsor more courses and seminars on customer service if they want to further contribute to national development, they should support the protection of the mangrove, and our few nature reserves, not bulldoze them, protect the mona monkey, tourist will come to see them and stay at their hotels. Remove the CID from Fort George and allow it to be just a historical site, have folks dress like the French and British soldiers of the day, same for Fort Frederick, these can have positive impression on the visitor. The tourism industry in Grenada is operating within a highly competitive regional market, they would be better served if they were to assist in improving citizens interaction with others and also each other, increase self confidence , help to preserve our flora and fauna. Tourist want to see things especially if they are unique to a country and we have several so opportunities and endless. The airport is part of a machinery, a very important part but aquiring sole jurisdiction of MBIA should not be the private sector priority.
Surely the British and French soldiers would have to be ‘onkeees wouldn’t they? And the French ones would have big noses too?
Poor idea 0/10.
So this fake news is not just a Donald Trump thing…You mean it was never discussed and some one made up the story…does not sound good to me. The denial is just because Grenadains across the world has had enough of selling out our country…
Obviously it was agreed to before the press conference and the whole government there to cheer fir it. You are selling off the whole island to foreigners Chinese, Egyptians who do nothing but destiny the environment. You have to stand up and run your airport yourselves. Why do you always look to someone else to do everything fir you?? What is wrong with how the airport is run?? Been through there numerous times. There have been many improvements over the past six years. If you have poor management then change it. Why is there always this assumption that no one on Grenada is good enough for management of anything.?? You also never want to be responsible for your own actions but prefer to blame others. You soon will be called little China or little Egypt instead of Grenada. Stop selling off everything on the island. The airport is essential to Grenada and should NOT be in foreign hands even for management. WAKE UP!!
Now that it is bring discuss we should ourselves why?
There is not one Grenadians here or abroad who will say that the airport is being run properly.
Something need to be done and if it has to be through a separate process which will improve the whole structure of the airport.
So we need to look at all options available and choose the right one for a long term plan.
First paragraph real bad due to phone …missing words are being and ask
You still want some of my timulus ackage Storm?
Missing letters are s and p.
Who clapped when the Egyptian spoke?