MINISTER of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport Daryl Vaz has served notice on MBJ, operators of Sangster International Airport (SIA) in Montego Bay, that he will be keeping an eye on them to ensure that competent Jamaican enterprises are given priority to operate at the facility.

“We understand that you are the concessionaire, but this is Jamaica, and Jamaicans must be given priority in relation to all activities. I won’t go any further but you know exactly what I am saying. But I can tell you that I will be watching that very, very closely because we have the same capability as any other country and we have proven ourselves as exceptional entrepreneurs in all spheres,” the minister told MBJ representatives recently.

MBJ is owned by Desarrollo De Concessiones Aeroportuarias SA, a subsidiary of Mexico-based Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico (GAP) that has a 74.5 per cent interest. Canada-based Vantage Airport Group has the remaining 25.5 per cent, according to the MBJ website.

Speaking with journalists, Vaz was adamant that Jamaican business operators who meet the specifications should be at the front of the line in any discussion about available opportunities.

“I am very strong on that because the fact of the matter is that these concessionaires are not Jamaicans, in this case they are Mexicans. Obviously, we have seen what has happened in other industries. Obviously Jamaicans are not given priority and you have seen that there has been quite an influx of overseas companies, so I am just signalling that I will be watching for that very carefully because, obviously, Jamaicans — once they meet the criteria — they must be given preferential treatment,” Vaz told reporters after an MBJ-hosted forum to provide an update on the upgrades being done to the SIA’s infrastructure.

The airport, which is the gateway used by the bulk of visitors to Jamaica, is in the throes of a significant modernisation designed to transform it into a world-class facility. Big-ticket items include a US$70-million runway expansion; opening of the world’s first Bob Marley (One Love)-branded restaurant; expansion of the immigration hall and departure lounge; and upgrade of outbound security, landside roads, and parking arrangements.

According to CEO of Airports Authority of Jamaica (AAJ) Audley Deidrick, the runway project should be completed by the end of September.

Speaking at the forum, both Deidrick and CEO of MBJ Airports Limited Shane Munroe noted that passenger traffic at SIA — which experienced a lull at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic — is now showing a five per cent increase over 2019.

“MBJ, supported by the AAJ, is now on a fast track to resume the other elements of the master plan programme to expand both arrival and departure concourses of the terminal to include ticketing, immigration, Customs, among other areas. In the interim MBJ, supported by AAJ, has been working with PICA, Customs, and other entities to ameliorate the congestion problems that have emerged with the massive return of traffic,” said Deidrick.

He highlighted some of the initiatives as procurement and instalment of 15 additional kiosks in the immigration hall.

Friday’s forum was one of the first major events Vaz has participated in with SIA since the transportation ministry was added to his portfolio during the last round of changes to the Cabinet. Speaking with members of the media during the event, the minister stressed the importance of having competent people in the right positions, an approach he has taken within his own ministry.

“The transport sector, obviously, is a very critical and essential sector and therefore, in terms of appointment of boards, I need to get persons who have expertise and experience in the various fields because obviously we have air, sea,” he said.

“So you will see the appointment of former Commissioner of Police Owen Ellington for Transport Authority; you will see the appointment of Danville Walker as deputy chairman of Airports Authority; you will see Colonel Oscar Derby as director general at [Jamaica] Civil Aviation. He is well trained as a pilot himself in the JDF [and] who headed the air wing.”

He will be relying, he said, on their sound advice.

“I’m picking and hand-selecting persons who have the expertise to be able to guide me in terms of making sure that we make the best policy decisions in the best interest of aviation,” Vaz told reporters.