The Exuma International Airport is expected to undergo reconstruction worth $15 million to $20 million later this year, according to Prime Minister Perry Christie.

During the Bahamas Chamber Of Commerce and Employers Confederation's (BCCEC) annual general meeting (AGM) yesterday, Christie spoke about the general importance of improving public/private sector relationships within The Bahamas.

Among other things, Christie stressed the government's efforts to improve airports on certain Family Islands with the help of a foreign consultant and architects.

"The government has the responsibility of 28 airports at least. That means that when people travel to those airports there must be a concern about security," said Christie.

Stantec Consultant Services Limited, a foreign consultant hired by the government, has told the Christie administration that the government would need $150 million to improve those airports.

Christie said the government decided to fix certain airports based on Stantec's study.

"We have decided that we have to fix some airports. We have decided we have to fix the airport in Exuma," said Christie.

According to the prime minister, Exuma's airport needs improvement because the Sandals Emerald Bay Great Exuma resort is bringing in direct flights from major airlines such as Delta Air Lines and Air Canada. He suggested a better airport environment is needed to accommodate those airlines since Exuma plays an important role in the country's tourism sector.

"We need a new terminal building and a new taxiway. We need $15 to $20 million worth of new airport environments in Exuma," said Christie. "We hope to start construction later this year."

Christie went on to say that similar renovations are being planned for North Eleuthera's airport.

"At the same time, we have retained architects and Stantec as the consultants to do that for North Eleuthera," said Christie.

"We examined Rock Sound's airport and we see it is prone to flooding like Deadman's Cay. So we have to hire an international consulting firm to determine whether or not there should be an airport in some way near to the proposed developed for Four Seasons and therefore bringing about the culture of not three but two international airports on one island.

"After all, our mandate is to maintain an economy for the purposes of businesses flourishing", Christie said.

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