Tweet
Framework Agreement on Goat Islands development within six weeks - Davies
7:42 pm, Tue February 25, 2014
Dr. Omar Davies
The Government of Jamaica is hoping to ink a framework agreement with a Chinese investor within six weeks for the establishment of a transshipment port and related facilities at Goat Islands and on nearby properties on the mainland.
Transport & Works Minister Dr. Omar Davies revealed the timeline while giving Parliament an update on the status of the controversial Goat Islands project, being pursued by China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC).
The Minister also updated the House on the Feasibility and Environmental Impact Study.
CHEC has applied to the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) for a beach control license in order to conduct a geo-technical investigation and engineering survey.
Dr. Davies confirmed that the owners of most of the properties located in the survey area have agreed for CHEC to enter their premises for the purpose of conducting investigations.The technical feasibility study is expected to be completed by the end of April.
"The preliminary designs for the first phase of the project will begin immediately thereafter and they are expected to be complemented by the end of June 2014. At this stage it is anticipated that the project will be sufficiently defined to allow CHEC to make a presentation to NEPA to seek the requisite terms of reference terms of reference for the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the project and Mr. Speaker I must emphasise that only after the completion of the EIA will the project be ready to be submitted to Cabinet for a decision"
The Chinese firm has also had discussions with the Urban Development Corporation and the Agro-Investment Corporation.
Davies warned that, if Jamaica does not pursue the proposal to establish the transshipment port, CHEC could turn its attention elsewhere.
"There are many countries willing to accept an offer from CHEC to develop the industrial complex and the port in their country - It's not that CHEC is begging us to be here. We are not the only game in town or in the Caribbean and it would be surprising to know from whence the competition comes"
Meanwhile, it was revealed that CHEC has concerns about the high cost of electricity and is considering building its own power plant for the project. It has proposed a coal fired generating plant.
In addition, two thousand jobs will be created through the project, the Transport Minister indicated that the Jamaican government will decide on the ratio of Chinese to Jamaican workers on the Goat Islands project.
A training complex will be constructed in phase one of the project to ensure that Jamaican workers get the skills needed for the project.This training is to be done through the Caribbean Maritime Institute and the HEART Academy.
7:42 pm, Tue February 25, 2014
Dr. Omar Davies
The Government of Jamaica is hoping to ink a framework agreement with a Chinese investor within six weeks for the establishment of a transshipment port and related facilities at Goat Islands and on nearby properties on the mainland.
Transport & Works Minister Dr. Omar Davies revealed the timeline while giving Parliament an update on the status of the controversial Goat Islands project, being pursued by China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC).
The Minister also updated the House on the Feasibility and Environmental Impact Study.
CHEC has applied to the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) for a beach control license in order to conduct a geo-technical investigation and engineering survey.
Dr. Davies confirmed that the owners of most of the properties located in the survey area have agreed for CHEC to enter their premises for the purpose of conducting investigations.The technical feasibility study is expected to be completed by the end of April.
"The preliminary designs for the first phase of the project will begin immediately thereafter and they are expected to be complemented by the end of June 2014. At this stage it is anticipated that the project will be sufficiently defined to allow CHEC to make a presentation to NEPA to seek the requisite terms of reference terms of reference for the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the project and Mr. Speaker I must emphasise that only after the completion of the EIA will the project be ready to be submitted to Cabinet for a decision"
The Chinese firm has also had discussions with the Urban Development Corporation and the Agro-Investment Corporation.
Davies warned that, if Jamaica does not pursue the proposal to establish the transshipment port, CHEC could turn its attention elsewhere.
"There are many countries willing to accept an offer from CHEC to develop the industrial complex and the port in their country - It's not that CHEC is begging us to be here. We are not the only game in town or in the Caribbean and it would be surprising to know from whence the competition comes"
Meanwhile, it was revealed that CHEC has concerns about the high cost of electricity and is considering building its own power plant for the project. It has proposed a coal fired generating plant.
In addition, two thousand jobs will be created through the project, the Transport Minister indicated that the Jamaican government will decide on the ratio of Chinese to Jamaican workers on the Goat Islands project.
A training complex will be constructed in phase one of the project to ensure that Jamaican workers get the skills needed for the project.This training is to be done through the Caribbean Maritime Institute and the HEART Academy.
Comment