KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) – Minister of Transport, Works and Housing Dr Omar Davies, says the  enterprise team is to conduct a thorough assessment and review of the recent bidding process for the privatisation of the Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA).

The report will indicate the possible reasons for the lack of bids, and recommendations regarding the way forward.

Davies, who was speaking in the House of Representatives on Tuesday said he expects to have a copy of the report by the end of this month and “at that time I will be in a position to advise on the next steps.”

In April 2015, Davies advised that five international companies were shortlisted to participate in the bidding for the selection of a concessionaire to further develop and operate the NMIA.

At the close of the bidding process in mid December, no offers had been received.

Davies informed that queries and expressions of interest have been received from companies regarding their possible participation in a resumed bidding process.

“Let me reiterate that this will not be a fire sale. There is no urgent imperative to propel us to privatise the asset at this time. However, our policy remains to pursue the privatisation of the airport in keeping with the objective to introduce private sector management and expertise to improve operational efficiencies,” he told the House.

Meanwhile, the minister informed that the Airports Authority of Jamaica (AAJ) has been proceeding with its expansion plans.

“The entity is not a charge on the budget and, in fact, it has posted a significant increase in revenues (over 30 per cent) and profits for this fiscal year to December 2015, while passenger traffic increased by 5 per cent over last year-to-date,” he informed.

He added that this positive situation is likely to continue in the medium to long-term.

“We expect increased traffic through NMIA as a result of the ongoing expansion of the road network, in particular the North-South Highway linking Kingston to Ocho Rios,” Davies said.