HRH Lays Foundation Stone At New Airport Site

The first official task for His Royal Highness The Duke of York on his arrival in the British Virgin Islands on Friday March 10th, was to unveil a foundation stone laid at the site of the new terminal building at the Beef Island Airport Development Project.

His visit to the territory was clearly anticipated, judging from the hundreds of residents who turned out to greet him and bid him farewell early Monday morning (March 13th). From all indications, the visit went extremely well. The crowd was very welcoming as they cheered and waved at His Royal Highness, who himself appeared to enjoy every moment of it. The Island Sun has learnt that throughout the weekend, he shook hands with over 700 persons and was in close contact with over 1500. He arrived at Beef Island International Airport on board the Queen's Flight exactly 5:30 p.m. and was met by His Excellency the Governor, the Honourable Chief Minister and other senior government officials.

After inspecting a guard of honour, he was driven in motorcade to the site of the new airport terminal, where he met other senior government officials and contractors for the airport project. But this was not before he looked up to the crowd on the roof of the terminal and said to the crowd: "Do you normally do this every Friday afternoon?" In his welcoming remarks, Chief Minister the Honourable Ralph T. O'Neal noted that these islands were settled by the British 328 years ago and since then, the territory has retained this association. "And at the present time, I have no mandate to seek to do away with that association." He told The Duke that the Airport Development Project is the largest capital project ever to be undertaken by the government of the British Virgin Islands and it should be completed next year.

Providing a historical background to the project, the Chief Minister recalled that the airport was started in the late 1950s by a colonial development and welfare grant of 10,000 pounds, (then equivalent to U.S$28,000) made by the British government. "And from a dirt strip to what you see now (that was done by the Royal Engineers in 1967), we have now decided that it was such a boost to our tourist trade and we want that boost some more, that the government has decided to spend U.S$53 million in building a new terminal building and lengthening the runway," he stated. He noted that funds were made available through local government funds, a grant from the European Development Fund, a soft loan from the European Investment Bank, the Caribbean Development Bank, the Bank of Nova Scotia, Barclays Bank and the Social Security Board. "As we develop our tourist industry Sir, this airport is going to play a great and significant part in that development and so we are anxious to have it completed on time and to put it into operation," he said. Mr. O'Neal mentioned that the BVI was very glad to have HRH remain here for three days, as opposed to the one night he planned to stay in the other Overseas Territories. In the latter half of the 20th century, the BVI has had some eight Royal visits, including two from Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh.

He regretted that because of the geography of the islands, The Duke of York would not be able to visit two of the outer islands in Anegada and Jost Van Dyke, but hoped that by his second visit, the BVI would have a helicopter available to take him to these islands. This trip took HRH only to Beef Island, Tortola, Virgin Gorda and Peter Island. However, a representative group from Anegada travelled to Virgin Gorda on Sunday to meet him. At the new airport project site last Friday evening, The Duke met staff of the Customs, Immigration, Fire and Security Departments. He quizzed members of each Department about their work and spoke at length with Airport Project Manager Stuart Logan about the design concept for the new airport. While in the British Virgin Islands, The Duke was accommodated at the temporary Government House at Allamanda Estate on Beef Island. Chief Minister O'Neal mentioned that Beef Island was once the playground of His Majesty's Ships and at that time, it was not strange to see six, sometimes eight ships anchored off Beef Island, where the sailors came for rest and recreation.

"Now that the Navy has dwindled somewhat, we do not see that number here, but we're always glad to welcome even one that comes," he stated. In his first public speech, on this his first visit to the islands, His Royal Highness said he is no stranger to the Caribbean, although, through his own fault, was unable to get to the Virgin Islands before.

He said he made a point of flying in up the island chain and it looked absolutely fascinating and a wonderful place to come. He said he was sorry that there were some places that he would not get to visit in the time available to him, but he looked forward to his tour and to meeting as many residents as he possibly can. "One of the keys to the prosperity and future of the Virgin Islands is its tourist industry and actually, we're standing here on the site of a new terminal building and a new extension to the runway; this will enable the Virgin Islands to keep pace with the growth in the business and therefore be able to prosper in the future," said The Duke. He wished the Virgin Islands every success in that prosperity.