NZ company wins $80 million contract
Nadi International Airport will receive a massive $102 million facelift to give it an attractive and modern look as part of plans to create a striking impression of the South Pacific’s most integral airport. Airports Fiji Limited (AFL) the state owned commercial company which manages and operates airports in the country has selected a New Zealand company for the Nadi Airport Modernisation Project. Hawkins Infrastructure the second largest construction firm in New Zealand is partnering with Fiji’s largest builder – Pacific Building Solutions (PBS) to complete the development in 16 months. The contract awarded to Hawkins and PBS joint venture is worth an estimated $80 million with AFL’s financial partner Westpac providing a loan of $85 million for the development.
Plans on modernizing Nadi Airport began in 2012 when the government introduced the Airport (Development and Modernisation) Decree but the project had been delayed due to various factors including looking for a suitable contractor. Last year in November the Nadi Airport Modernisation Project’s ground breaking ceremony was held initiating the first phase which was the extension and redevelopment of the departure lounge. “It took us a bit more than 6 months to decide on the contractor that we chose for the Nadi Airport Modernisation Project and it is big occasion for us,” AFL Chairman Faiz Khan said after the announcement on June 23.
“It’s taken six months because it was important for us that we partnered with a contractor that we believe will deliver. It’s no secret that in Fiji you have limited choices available in terms of construction contractors so we had after the expression of interest selection processes. We had three that we had shortlisted one fell out initially and two were left and I think the two that we had left provided significant competition right till the end. I’m just glad that we have made a decision and now we look forward to exciting yet challenging times ahead.”
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