BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE newly-constructed waiting area at the Basseterre Ferry Terminal is scheduled to be opened to the public on Wednesday (Nov. 29), according to Minister of Public Infrastructure, Hon. Ian Liburd.
Addressing reporters recently, the Minister was asked for an update on the facility, and he disclosed that they are hopeful of officially opening it this week, but that is dependent on the completion of some minor works.
“I believe it would likely be by Wednesday (Nov. 29) next week,” he said.
The Minister has been championing the construction of a new waiting area at the Ferry Terminal, as visitors, citizens and residents would have to sit in an area with vagrants – with the location often emitting a pungent odour.
When the facility is officially opened, it would be an enclosed waiting area possessing all the necessary amenities including bathroom, air condition and security access, the Minister pointed out,.
“What the security intends to do, is all passengers would go through a screening process at the terminal. Having bought their tickets, they would enter and go through a screening process and they would wait in an air-conditioned room. There are facilities there, toilet facilities. There is also the information monitors to monitor all the times for travel.”
SKNVibes understands that the cost is over EC$200,000 as the facility is being described as “upscale and modern”.
According to Liburd, the cost had varied as the contractor, after undertaking work, had to make changes to remedy a problem.
“It has been going on for nearly four months. What happened initially, and that is why you would find a variance in the costing, my information is that the original designs contemplated keeping the roof and just renovating or rehabilitating just below the roof. But once the work started and the engineering advise that was sought, it then concluded that the roof that was there would not stand the test of time.
“Remember, that facility was built in 1996 or there about... So what the contractors and the port people decided to do is to look forward. So, you have a concrete roof now with the possibility of going above in terms of offices and other facilities.”
The Minister emphasized that at the end of the day, the project was done to bring comfort to passengers who would be using that facility.
