St Helena : St. Helena Committed to Airport Development
Submitted by Saint Helena Herald (Juanita Brock) 20.09.2006 (Article Archived on 04.10.2006)
The Airport Development Bill was passed by Legislative Council in February of this year and makes provisions to facilitate the design, construction and operation of an airport in St Helena. It also provided that the Governor in Council may enter into necessary contractual arrangements.
Airport Development Ordinance, 2006
As part of the action necessary for the introduction of air access, Governor Clancy appointed 19th September 2006 as the day on which the Airport Development Ordinance 2006 came into force. He said: “There is still every commitment to the airport and this demonstrates progress on a key part of the preparatory work.”
The Airport Development Bill was passed by Legislative Council in February of this year and makes provisions to facilitate the design, construction and operation of an airport in St Helena. It also provided that the Governor in Council may enter into necessary contractual arrangements.
Under sections 4 and 5, power is given (subject to safeguards) to designate land as an ‘Airport Development Area’. The effect of this, under the subsequent provisions of the Ordinance, is to enable the Governor in Council to grant exemptions from certain existing laws which (though entirely appropriate for general application) were enacted without contemplation of the possibility of an airport development and which otherwise might impede the project.
The Ordinance does not enable the Governor in Council to take ownership or possession of private land. That can only be done using the Land Acquisition Ordinance 2006, which contains provisions for the payment of compensation in such cases.
Copies of the Airport Development Ordinance can be viewed at the Public Library in Jamestown.
Public Relations/Information Office
Office of the Chief Secretary
20 September 2006
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