NLIS 8
September 30, 2005
(Transportation and Works)
Government examining
options for building ferries in this province
Tom Rideout, Minister of
Transportation and Works, today said that government is thoroughly
examining options for building vessels in this province. Minister
Rideout said, �My department is analyzing opportunities to build
vessels in this province in terms of net economic benefits to the
province, including job creation and economic development.�
Government�s Blueprint states: �Past Policy has been to replace
over-aged vessels with used foreign-built vessels that require major
repairs and will have to be replaced in 10-15 years. That does not
make economic sense. Our vessel replacement policy will be guided by
net economic benefits to the Province rather than acquisition cost.�
�This government takes its election commitments very seriously,�
said Minister Rideout. �We are interested in doing what is best for
the taxpayers of this province and doing appropriate research is an
excellent example of this.�
The minister said that having vessels built at shipyards in this
province is very much under consideration.
�Government would love to see all the shipyards in the province
overflowing with work,� said Minister Rideout. �We will use the
consultant�s report to enable us to build vessels within the
province by examining our best options for shipbuilding locally.
However, we do have the responsibility to examine all aspects of
vessel replacement, including the cost of vessels available on the
international market.
�Knowing what is available to be purchased is useful should we need
to acquire a vessel immediately. Since we are currently putting all
this effort into researching vessel replacement, it would be
irresponsible for us to do this research without gathering that
information.�
Government�s criticism of the previous administration has been for
purchasing a vessel that isn�t suitable for the needs of the
provincial ferry operation.
�The MV Nonia was a 13-year-old vessel that required $10 million and
six years to put into service,� said the minister. �A consultant�s
report will ensure mistakes like this are not repeated.�
The minister added that the previous government was prepared to
replace a ferry based on political motivation. Minister Rideout
said, �The previous administration was attempting to put a new ferry
into a service that operated in the district represented by the
previous Minister of Works, Services and Transportation. They
weren�t prepared to do the appropriate research of scanning the
condition of the existing fleet. Failing to look at the most
beneficial means of implementing a replacement vessel may have
resulted in mistakes similar to those encountered with the MV Nonia.
�Government will develop our vessel replacement strategy using solid
research. This is a multi-million dollar program and must be handled
carefully. When spending tens of millions of dollars, it is
certainly prudent to spend a few hundred thousand dollars up front
so that you can move forward in an informed manner.�
Minister Rideout said his department has made great strides toward
developing transportation infrastructure throughout the province.
�There have been significant advances made on transportation files,
including more than doubling the value of the provincial roads
program, the inclusion of multiple provincial roads in the national
highway system and improvements to the Labrador Marine Service,�
said the minister. �Significant funding was allocated in Budget 2005
for our ferries, including $2.97 million for refits to the MV Sir
Robert Bond and MV Northern Ranger, $4 million for annual and
mid-life refits for ferries serving the island, $1 million for
capital improvements to the province�s ferry terminals, and $500,000
for planning work toward an implementation of a provincial vessel
replacement strategy.
�Government has been very proactive with making improvements to
transportation infrastructure and this will continue where vessel
replacement is concerned. Only two years into our current mandate,
we are not only planning for a vessel replacement strategy, but have
also made many steps forward to improve the province�s
transportation infrastructure.�
Media contact: Lori Lee Oates, ABC, Communications, (709) 729-3015,
690-8403
2005 09 30
1:40 p.m.
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