SJDC to take control of cruise port upland facility after lease ends

By Tahna Weston
tahna.weston@antiguaobserver.com
The new Antigua Cruise Port upland facility, currently under construction, is expected to be handed over to the St John’s Development Corporation (SJDC) when Global Ports’ lease expires.
SJDC Chairman Kevin Morgan said the facility would eventually deliver significant benefits to the people of Antigua and Barbuda.
“Well, our affiliation, as you know, St John’s Development Corporation is responsible for the development and maintenance of the city of St John’s. Additionally, we manage the Heritage Hotel, Multi-Purpose Cultural Centre [and] the Public Market.
“So, most definitely, it is very important that we have a level of collaboration with Antigua Cruise Port and Global Ports. At the end of the lease that Global Ports has, this facility will be turned over, within, I believe, 23 years, to the St John’s Development Corporation, which will be of great, significant benefit to the people of Antigua and Barbuda,” Morgan said.
Morgan also disclosed that a new partnership is expected to emerge from the development, although he did not provide details.
Morgan said he was impressed by the quality of the finishes at the development and linked the project to efforts to improve the appearance of St John’s.
“I must say that I’m impressed with the level of finish, the painting and the colours. And this definitely gives us at St John’s Development Corporation the motivation to continue the renewal of St John’s.
“As you would have known, in recent months, the minister would have led an initiative in terms of removing the derelict buildings and calling and pleading with people in the business community to paint up, freshen up [and] beautify. I mean, every year our cruise numbers are growing, so it’s only in our best interest that we continue to make St John’s a beautiful city, a city that tourists will love and want to recommend that their friends come and visit,” the SJDC chairman added.
Meanwhile, the facility boasts several amenities, including a pool, which Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Investments and Transportation Michael Freeland said residents will be able to access.
“Well, in everything that we do, we have committees, we have management teams. And so, just like anything, there will be rules and regulations. But, of course, it will be accessible to the public.”