CI Times Weekly | Current Issue 270 | 29 September 2008
Chinese offers attractive, unconfirmed
The Times has received unconfirmed reports from a number of sources that the Chinese coaches arriving to assist several sporting codes prepare for the 2009 Mini Games are to be paid out of the $4 million grant made earlier by the Chinese to upgrade the back road around Nikao.
The Times also understands the Chinese have offered to undertake the Avatiu Harbour project.
The Times understands the amount to be set aside for the coaches is around $2 million. Over $100,000 and up to $200,000 each to be paid to the coaches with the remainder to be used to acquire sporting equipment for the Mini Games.
The Times was advised by sources that the deal was firmed up at a meeting last Tuesday and that CISNOC is aware of the arrangement.
The Times also understands that during the DPM’s recent trip to China agreement was reached for the Chinese to upgrade the roads, water system and also Avatiu Harbour however this is unconfirmed at this stage.
The Times understands the harbour widening project to enable vessels to turn around at Avatiu was initially to be undertaken with a loan from the ADB at around 6% interest. The Chinese offer is understood to involve a concessional loan at around 1 % interest.
Chinese interest in upgrading the harbour is already known with the Chinese favouring some development towards the Avarua town side. It is understood that the cost for the harbour project could be in the vicinity of $30 million.
The Times has always considered a better long term option would be to develop a completely new deep water harbour at Nikao in the lagoon opposite parliament.