Tobago: NIDCO receives approvals for construction of new ANR Robison Intl Airport

Trinidad and Tobago: In a significant development, the National Infrastructure Development Company Limited announced that the required approvals for the construction of the new ANR Robinson International Airport in Tobago are in place.

In an official statement, the company stated that several approvals have been received for the airport.

The approvals received include the notice of grant of outline planning permission to develop land and to develop land subject to conditions.

The Company further said that in granting permission to develop land, the plans were forwarded to the local authority, the Tobago House of Assembly.

However, the NIDCO noted that after not receiving feedback from certain local government agencies, including the Tha, they assumed they got full consent and met the requirements outlined in the law.

According to the company, they have all the necessary approvals to satisfy the Town and Country Planning Division and proceed with constructing the new airport terminal for the ANR.

Meanwhile, the Town and Country Division claims they forwarded plans to the THA as required. NIDCO’s compliance includes obtaining THA consent, as evidenced by no rejection of plans, no outstanding information requests, and facilitation measures like road closure and hoarding permissions. It also stated that structural approval was granted by the Division of Infrastructure, quarries, and the Environment.

The issue from their standpoint is that water and sewage met US standards, while fire safety and occupational health requirements were also met, showing that the project meets regulatory criteria and has the necessary approvals.

However, multiple clarifications source from members of the Executive Council of the THA state that it appears no attempts to file injunctions against the project are being seen as consent.

Following all the necessary approvals, the company will be constructing a proper airport equipped with all the facilities for the passengers flying to and from Tobago. The newly constructed airport will have space to accommodate more aircrafts at one time, hence allowing the expansion for increased arrivals.