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  by pltm
• Jun 22, 2018
• 4

(PLTM) - All of the members of the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) did not support certain aspects of the government’s plan to move forward with the proposed expansion of the runway of the Terrance B Lettsome International Airport. In fact, the members of government boldly announced their disagreement in the House of Assembly last year, even though it meant going against their leader, Dr. the Hon. D. Orlando Smith. Now persons are pondering aloud whether or not the project will be shelved when Hon. Smith takes his leave.

The Premier continues to state that the airport project is critically important, and even essential to the recovery plan. However, as Dr. Smith prepares to hand the reins over to a new leader, in the public realm the question is whether the hurricanes might have hardened the stance of party members on the matter, and whether a new NDP leader would be as committed to the expansion.

The question was put to Premier Smith during a press briefing on June 21, and he confidently told reporters that he does not believe whoever the new NDP leader is would have an influence on the plans to expand the airport.

The Premier’s answer came moments after he stressed to reporters that his recently concluded China tour cemented his conviction that the further success of the Territory’s tourism sector is hinged on the expansion of the airport. The Premier also indicated interest to have the project move forward as soon as possible, as a public private partnership.

During the February 2017 debate of the Appropriation Act (budget) in the House of Assembly, at least four members of the government voted against government’s immediate pursuit of the airport expansion project, while the position on the matter of at least two was unclear.

Therefore, the question remains as to whether the new NDP leader, who would also be the future Premier if the NDP is elected again to office, would push the project considering that some party members may still feel it should not be a priority.

However, when this point was put to the Premier, he again assured reporters that the handing of batons would not have bearing on the project, as he repeated that the party is committed to expanding the airport.

Hon. Smith told reporters, “I think there is a general acceptance by the government, in fact by the people of this country, that there is a need for expansion of the airport.”

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