The International Airport Development Company (IADC) is ready to begin construction of the Terminal Building of the Argyle International Airport,{{more}} following the signing of a US$26,500,000 contract between the IADC and the Taiwanese construction company, Overseas Engineering and Construction Company Ltd. (OECC).

The signing ceremony took place at the Cabinet Room on Tuesday, July 12, 2011.

CEO of the IADC Dr Rudy Matthias, giving opening remarks at the ceremony, stated that because of the length of time taken to fine tune the agreement between the IADC and the OECC, the date of completion of the Argyle International Airport had to be pushed back.

“We have come to this day, we have signed and we are ready to start,” Matthias said. The construction of the Terminal Building will begin in August and will be completed within a 28 month period. Matthias said that by November 2013, the terminal building and the electrical sub station are expected to be completed and handed over to the IADC.

“It is a building that I’m sure Vincentians are going to be proud of, and they will enjoy it for many years to come.” Matthias said of the terminal building.

He added that the OECC has a good record of completing projects on time and expects that they will complete this project in the allotted time.

He, however, added that the IADC will have to enter into contracts for the building of three other buildings, namely the Control Tower, the Cargo Terminal Building and the Fire Fighting and rescue Station. Matthias stated that these buildings will not take as long to complete as the Terminal building as they are

much smaller. He further stated that earthworks at the site are expected to be finished by December 2012.

Pavement works, Matthias stated, are expected to be finished by mid 2013. He added that the company hopes to recruit a team from Cuba to begin pavement works by next year.

Matthias expressed hopes to have flights coming into the Argyle International Airport the end of 2013. “…So that as soon as the OECC hands over the building to us, we are going to start recruiting flights, and I’m hoping we can do so. We can have flights coming into St. Vincent by the end of 2013,” Matthias stated.

General Manager of OECC Peter Chung-Zen stated that it was a great honour for the OECC to participate in the building of the terminal building. He also stated that the OECC will endeavor to do their best to finish the building, and in good quality.

Also delivering remarks, Ambassador of Taiwan Weber Shih congratulated the IADC and the OECC on the signing of the contract. He also extended congratulations to the people and Government of St. Vincent and his Grenadines and stated that the Republic of China on Taiwan, which is funding the construction of the terminal building, is proud to play a meaningful role in the project.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Douglas Slater, also making remarks, stated the economic benefits of the project, including the many employment opportunities that can be created during the construction and after the completion of the airport. Deputy Prime Minister Giryln Miguel, also making brief comments, stated that the international airport is a necessity for the country in terms of boosting tourism. She also mentioned that there needs to be education in schools and elsewhere about the role of the airport and the importance of an International airport in St. Vincent.

The Argyle terminal building will have three floors, with 12,065 square meters of floor space. It is designed to accommodate 1.4 million passengers per year, more than five times the number of passengers currently passing through the E.T. Joshua Airport in any one year. (OS)