BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - FUEL giants Delta Petroleum broke ground in St. Kitts yesterday (Sept. 26) for their Bulk Storage Facility which will have storage capacity of in excess of 900,000 gals of fuel at the location in Bird Rock.
Speaking at a ceremony, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas highlighted some of the benefits of housing such a facility on St. Kitts.
“At the moment, any Delta Petroleum product on St. Kitts is provided from and is stored elsewhere. Today we participate in a ground breaking that will change that because in the future we will some 30,000 barrels of oil being stored at this location…which we anticipate will be completed by the first half of 2015.
“Let me say that in time of natural disasters or in the face of impediments that interrupt the normal shipment of oil to our shores, we in St. Kitts will now have the security of knowing that there is a bulk storage facility – another one - right here on the island, ensuring a reliable source of oil. Even in those circumstances where normal shipping schedules would have been interrupted.”
Dr Douglas was also proud that the island was chosen to house such a facility and claimed the country’s economic activity was the reason behind the investment.
“Delta petroleum executives have stated that St. Kitts will be the only island in the region on which they would consider establishing a bulk storage facility at this moment simply because ours is the only example with the level of economic activity that would make such an investment in the current global environment a wise one.”
Managing Director of Delta Petroleum, Vernon Lake told the gathering that he was pleased to be opening the facility in St. Kitts and thanked the Government for its support.
“Let me say that we have been in the Federation for 25 years. We have been able to overcome the challenges presented to us and we were able to serve the people of Nevis consistently and well for 25 years. That is just an example of what we can do for you in St. Kitts.
Lake and Dr. Douglas were then equipped with hardhats and shovels and turned the sod to signal the start of construction.
Regional General Manager Bevis Sylvester explained that the facility would have the capacity to house 700,000 gallons of diesel, 150,000 gallons of gasoline and eventually, 120,000 gallons of liquid petroleum gas (LPG).
The first phase of the project is set to commence next week and should conclude within five months’ time.
