Renovation work on the Hewanorra International Airport will begin in the coming weeks; so said Prime Minister Hon. Allen Chastanet during a press briefing on Aug. 5.

The Prime Minister detailed the process.

“Taking something from concept to implementation is very painful,” he said. “A year and a half ago I was able to negotiate with the Taiwanese government for the loan. This entails an agreement with the Taiwanese government, then there is one with the Exim Bank of Taiwan, and the contract is with SLASPA. There is tremendous detail that goes into those contracts.”

The Oversees Engineering and Construction Company (OECC) Ltd. will supervise the project, having done more than 100 projects in the Caribbean and Latin America—Including Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’ Argyle International Airport which opened in February 2017.

“We also have to go through planning approval,” he explained. “The plans have been submitted to the DCA. The masterplan for the airport has been approved by the DCA and the foundation has been given approval to proceed. Once the OECC has finalized the contract with SLASPA they will be in a position to finalize the contracts with each of the sub-contractors. Then work will commence.”

Site preparation work has already been undertaken by the Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority (SLASPA).