NDP’s Vice President pledges full support for completion of Argyle International Airport

Area Representative for Central Kingstown, St Claire Leacock has stated his support towards the completion of the Argyle International Airport.{{more}}

During the debate on the Amendment for the Airport Service Charge Bill, which sought to allow monies from the departure tax to go towards the project, as opposed to going to the Consolidated Fund at Monday’s meeting of the House, Leacock expressed his support.

He said that air and seaport development have been incremental over the years with former politicians in the likes of E.T Joshua and Sir James Mitchell having their input.

Leacock added that Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves took the issue to another level but he said that his position on the issue was plain.

“Let me make it clear, the Major in the Parliament, the Honourable St Claire Leacock supports the completion of the airport,” he said.

“And as it is now, if the government changes tomorrow, provided all the technical support are satisfied and approvals it must be full steam ahead,” Leacock continued.

The airport needed to be completed the opposition parliamentarian charged.

“And in fact the New Democratic Party (NDP) will finish the airport – we will finish the airport.”

“So put that aside, nobody, no one on this side of the House bad mouthing, putting stumbling blocks, difficulties or hurdles in the way of the completion of the Argyle International Airport – we are one on that subject matter,” Leacock said.

The pledge of support for the international airport from the Vice President of the NDP comes after Leader of the Opposition, Arnhim Eustace has repeatedly suggested that the project was not feasible at this time.

In an interview published in SEARCHLIGHT in 2008 Eustace stated that he was not convinced that the airport will be built because of the high cost associated with the project.

“I don’t believe that the airport is going to cost anything less than $1 billion,” the Leader of the Opposition said.

He said then that while he understood the emotional attachment to an international airport, he believed it was not feasible and that it would be a financial burden in the future. (DD)