PM: Govt getting land for Tobago airport by the law

The acquisition of lands for the Tobago Airport Terminal project is being done under the law, the Prime Minister has assured.

Dr Rowley was responding to a prime minister’s question in the House in Friday from Couva North MP Ramona Ramdial who asked what stage was the land acquisition process for the Tobago airport project.

He said after significant investigations and preparations the Cabinet has approved the National Infrastructure Development Company’s (Nidco) progress regarding the publishing of Section 3 notices (a notice that the land would be required) on the parcel of land which is of interest to this project.

“So Nidco is progressing along with that.”

Oropouche West MP Vidia Gayadeen-Gopeesingh asked if valuation reports had been prepared and presented to land owners. Rowley replied if the member consulted what Section 3 meant then the answer would have been given.

“We are at the stage of the Section 3 process and certain actions are mandated by law and valuations are a particular part of that at a particular stage. The Government is acquiring these lands under law and the questions are in fact to be answered by saying we are proceeding under the law.”

Ramdial asked what was the cost so far but Rowley replied the process was not yet at the point where he could say the cost.

Gayadeen-Gopeesingh said valuations are done simultaneously with Section 3 and asked what was the cost per square foot for the land.

Rowley replied: “I have said all I intend to say to the people of TT on this question. I don’t know what lesson my colleague is trying to give me. I have no interest in fireside law.”

Ramdial also asked whether negotiations for a new operator for the Magdalena Grand had been complete. Rowley replied as at Thursday lawyers were finalising the matter and one document was being finalised.

“Upon completion of that in the very near future we expect that Apple Leisure would be in a position to execute.”

Apple Leisure Group is North America's only vertically integrated travel, hospitality and leisure management group and is the largest charter airline operator in the US.