The government is expected to spend $15 million to complete the construction of a new Approach Control Centre and purchase of a modern radar system as it moves to modernise the local aviation sector.

According to Transport and Aviation Minister Glenys Hanna-Martin, of this figure, the radar totalled more than $11.8 million.

It was chosen, she said after an international competitive bidding process.

“We are now in the mix of a very dynamic process in aviation. We are actually engaging in the modernisation of the aviation sector in The Bahamas. We are moving from the 20th century to the 21st century in aviation and at the same time, we’re meeting standards,which makes us a respectable member state in aviation worldwide,” she said during a ground breaking ceremony at the Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA).

“But we wanted to distinguish ourselves; we just don’t want to meet the standards. We want to distinguish ourselves through technology and expertise, which is human capital in the region and maybe the world.”

The minister added that a number of plans are underway to revitalise the aviation sector.

“We about to hire 20 new air traffic controllers, we’ve taken on air traffic services in Grand Bahama, we’re about to deal with Marsh Harbour airport, we’re looking now at the complement in Exuma, North Eleuthera, San Salvador, Bimini now has night flying and were putting in place night flying in several airports throughout the country,” she pointed out

“People flying at night will boost the local economy in our country, The Bahamas is not just Nassau, this is to help jumpstart their economies and to create a draw from New Providence. We’re also involve in the structural and institution reform which will involve the separation of functions.”