PM Gonsalves: Contribute to airport fund

Persons who have declared their unwavering support to the Argyle International Airport project have been challenged to put their money where their mouths are.{{more}}

On Wednesday, July 8, at the National Insurance Services Conference Room, the International Airport Development Company (IADC) launched its Contributory Fund.

“Now its time for Vincentians in some direct way and some entities which operate in St Vincent and the Grenadines to help us,” said Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves when he delivered the featured address at the ceremony.

Dr Gonsalves reiterated all the support that the government has been getting for the estimated US$200 million project from countries such as Venezuela, Cuba, Taiwan and Trinidad and Tobago.

He also said that he has been able to get his regional CARICOM counterparts to see an international airport for St Vincent and Dominica as a regional concern.

He suggested that in order for regional integration to work, the partners cannot be “unequally yoked”, which is the situation once these two countries are without adequate air access.

He again stressed the importance of proper air access to attract investments in the tourism sector.

He noted that the Buccament Beach Resort, currently under construction, which expects to employ close to 2,000 persons once fully operational, would not have been possible without the prospect of an international airport.

The resort will be officially launched at a ceremony in London next week, and a first phase (about 350-400 rooms) should be opened on July 1, 2010.

For his part, Patron of the Contributory Fund, Governor General Sir Frederick Ballantyne said that he is fully supportive of the international airport.

He said that a project of that magnitude is sure to go through difficult times and under some criticism but said he believes the need for an International Airport should be plain to see. He suggested that it was crucial to the development of St Vincent and the Grenadines, whose development is increasingly hinged to the tourism sector.

Sir Frederick along with Insurance Executive Sydney Hazel, Fiscal Advisor to the Government C.I. Martin and Former Chief Executive of the Mustique Company Brian Alexander will oversee the fund.

The Chairman of the IADC, Dr Rudy Matthias noted the negative criticism that the project has faced and spoke of intense plans by his company to carry the message of the project straight to the people.

This plan includes a comprehensive website that should be up and running in two weeks’ time.

A call was made by Hans King, press secretary to the Prime Minister, for contributions, as he acknowledged Hilford Bullock, the first contributor to the fund.

Sir Frederick, Cecil Ryan, the National Cultural Foundation, the National Lotteries Authority, the Carnival Development Cooperation, Murray Heights Hotel, the Hill Top Tabernacle, Hans King and the Prime Minister himself were among the first to pledge undisclosed amounts to the project.

Persons wishing to contribute can do so at the National Commercial Bank Account number 200884.

Each contributor will be given a certificate of recognition by the IADC, while those who contribute $1,000 and more will have their names engraved on a special wall in the terminal building and can have their names posted on the IADC’s website.