Two hundred million dollars have been allocated to the ongoing expansion of the Arthur Napoleon Raymond Robinson International Airport according to the Public Sector Investment Programme Tobago 2023 document.
Work on the airport began in June 2020, and was expected to be concluded this year but was delayed due to various complications caused by the pandemic and most recently an impasse on the relocation of Crown Point residents.
While there had been these delays, in March, a new domestic arrival hall was opened at the airport.
The PSIP Tobago 2023 document noted, “Work will continue on the Construction of a Terminal and Associated Facilities of the ANR Robinson International Airport with an allocation of $200 million utilising the services and expertise of Nidco in fiscal 2023. The project consists of upgrading the existing terminal building and the construction of a new terminal building with a car park at Crown Point.”
The document also noted that the Airports Authority of T&T was allocated $11 million to focus on the development of airport infrastructure at the ANR Robinson airport.
These funds will be used for the completion of the runway and taxiway pavement remediation works for safe aircraft operations; continuation of repairs to the perimeter fencing for enhanced security; and procurement of a runway sweeper to be used for the removal of debris on the runway and taxiway for safe aircraft operations on the ground.
The document said, “This investment aims to create an international airport with sufficient capacity and level of service to support tourism development and air travel in Tobago.”
The tourism sector in Tobago was, according to the document, allocated a sum of $24.5 million with “the objective of promoting a diverse, superior and unique tourism product.”
The document stated, “ The main focus is to position Tobago as an ideal tourist destination through the establishment of competitive sites and attractions to meet international standards.”
An allocation of $6 million was made for the improvement and upgrading of beach facilities around the island.
This includes the Store Bay Beach Facility which will see an electrical upgrade, the construction of a drainage system and a general overhaul of the facility and the installation of a security fence. Work is also to be done at the Mt Irvine Beach Facility, which should see an upgrade of lifeguard towers and its security booth as well as an extension of staff quarters and refurbishment of the wastewater treatment plant and construction of concessionaire spaces.
The King’s Bay Beach Facility was also slated for an upgraded beach facility and lifeguard facility along with landscaping, construction of cabanas, dredging of the river, paving of the car park and construction of a guard booth at King’s Bay Waterfall.
The Fort Granby Beach Facility would also see an upgrade to a guard booth and perimeter fence; the installation of solar lighting and a play park while at Bloody Bay Beach Facility there is to be an installation of a wastewater treatment plant and the upgrade of beach facility and beach grading to remove excessive stones and replace it with sand.
The document also listed plans to extend outdoor dining at Charlotteville Beach Facility as well as upgrade a lifeguard tower at the facility while the construction of a Lifeguard Tower is also planned at Courland Bay.
In Friday’s session of the Standing Finance Committee, Finance Minister Colm Imbert noted there were initial plans outlined to develop tourism spaces at several beaches in fiscal 2022 in response to a query from Tabaquite MP Anita Haynes concerning the notable allocation decrease for such works.
Haynes noted that in fiscal 2022, $20 million was allocated.
Imbert said, “The projects under consideration in fiscal 23 include, upgrading of coastal areas to enhance the tourism-based offerings at Blackrock, Turtle Beach, King Peters Bay, Charlotteville beach, Petit Trou which is in Lambeau and Buccoo beach upgrade. The new administration has restructured the programme so the expenditure on this particular item is a little less than before.”
The document stated a sum of $6.3 million will be provided for the upgrade and enhancement of other existing tourist sites and attractions including the Fort King George Heritage Park where work will be done to restore two historical buildings; improve perimeter and security lighting and upgrade the air-conditioning system at the Fine Arts Centre.
The PSIP Tobago document also listed other Tourism Support Projects such as the placement of island-wide signage and the continuation of the upgrades of historical signs at sea and airports, rainforest and beach facilities; branding of guard booths at tourism sites; and attractions and installation of a kiosk.
The document also detailed the Scarborough Beautification Project, which would include the “incorporation of the tourism product into the Scarborough re-development project.”
Plans for the construction of a bridge, walkway, washrooms and staff accommodation at the Castara Waterfall and the restoration of the sugar mill and windmill at the Historical Site Cove Estate were also listed. The latter project, the document stated, involved the clearing of land and establishment of a heritage trail.
Other historical sites were being earmarked for attention including the restorative works to ANR Robinson grave site; perimeter fencing, light and landscaping at Fort James, Courlanders Monument, Mystery Tombstone, Fort Bennett and Fort Milford; construction of decking, curb wall, tank farm and washroom at Flagstaff and Campbelton, upgrade of handrails and staircase at Green Hill waterfall lighting.
The document also stated a sum of $4 million will also be allocated for the conduct of feasibility studies for the following projects:
• Establishment of Tobago Marinas;
• Englishman’s Bay Beach Facility; and
• Construction of Tobago Cruise Ship Berths.
According to the Tobago PSIP the THA will be provided with the sum of $40 million to support road rehabilitation and bridge reconstruction works.
The document said a combined sum of $10 million will be provided for major upgrades and improvements to main and secondary roads throughout the island as part of the Major Improvement Works on Secondary Roads and Resurfacing Programme in fiscal 2023.
A sum of $4 million has also been put aside for the Windward Road Special Development Programme involving upgrade works for the realignment of King Street Junction, Delaford while a sum of $4 million will be provided for the upgrade of Claude Noel Highway while an allocation of $1 million will also be provided for the upgrade to Milford Road, and $4 million will be apportioned for the commencement of works on the Signal Hill River Bridge.
The document also stated $4 million will be provided to facilitate rehabilitation works, including the widening of the bridge on Northside Connector Road and the installation of Centracs Active Traffic Management System at five intersections along the Claude Noel Highway which will be overseen by the Programme for Upgrading Roads Efficiency Unit (PURE) Unit, Tobago.