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| Chairman of the St. Christopher Air and Sea Ports Authority, Mr. Linkon Maynard (Photo by Erasmus Williams) |
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, DECEMBER 13TH 2006 (CUOPM) - The St. Christopher Air and Sea Port Authority (SCASPA) is completing a five year development plan and outlook for the real estate under its charge.
Speaking at the official opening on Tuesday of the new airport apron which can accommodate six wide-bodied jets, a resurfaced runway and a new taxiway, Chairman of the Board of Directors of SCASPA, Mr. Linkon Maynard said that since its restructuring, SCASPA has emerged as a stronger organisation because primarily of the people who have been entrusted with its operation and management.
"SCASPA is projected to achieve its 2006 earnings budget, excluding depreciation and interest expense, of just under EC$12 million, thereby exceeding its 2005 performance by over EC$6 million, i.e. over 100%," said Mr. Maynard.
He said that SCASPA can boast of a recently upgraded state of the art security surveillance system to enhance the monitoring of all its facilities at the airport and seaport and has spent considerable time and effort in ensuring that critical staff has been exposed to the necessary customer service training under the guidance of a recently appointed Customer Service Manager.
"We have invested heavily in ensuring more reliable service from the various critical utilities such as our air conditioning system. These achievements, on the eve of our country's hosting of World Cup Cricket 2007, are significant and bode well for our future endeavors here at SCASPA," said Maynard.
He expressed thanks to the many stakeholders and service providers at the Airport and Seaport whom "we have been consulting with for their patience and advice as we tackle the challenges to provide to the ultimate consumer and customer, the best product and service possible as we prepare in our thrust to welcome the world to our shores."
Mr. Maynard said SCASPA was excited about the expansion and refurbishment work that has been just been undertaken and was of the view that it will vastly improve the quality and extent of the services to locals and visitors.
He said the project has resulted in a significant improvement in the quality of runway and taxiways and in particular a huge expansion of the aircraft parking facility. "This Project has cost SCASPA and this country US$17 million of what we believe to be money well spent," said the SCASPA Chairman.~~Adz:Right~~
The project loan was jointly funded by the St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla National Bank and the Government of the Republic of China on Taiwan.
"We again would like to thank these institutions, our own National Bank and the Government of the Republic of China on Taiwan who have obviously expressed the confidence in SCASPA to be able to repay the amount, with interest, over the next 15 years. This particular developmental project fits into a wider medium and long term development plan of action which we have embarked upon," said Maynard.
The SCASPA Board Chairman singled out for special thanks, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas, "for the tremendous inspiration and support given throughout our various endeavors."
