Project Adjudication by President Oscar Arias and Public Works Secretary Karla González is still needed for referendum
The Consortium that is applying for the construction of the passenger terminal in the Daniel Oduber Quirós Airport, in Liberia, met the required technical and financial requirements.
The National Council technical team that analyzed the offer presented by the group gave the green light for its adjudication.
The next step is for President Oscar Arias and Public Works Secretary Karla Gonzalez to complete the process.
Coriport was the only firm participating in the concession process. Houston Airport System participates in the group and is the same firm that is negotiating the purchase of the Juan Santamaria airport expansion project.
Financial and economic capacities were the two important factors that influenced the approval of the proposal presented by the Airport Society.
Regarding the financial resolutions, the group proposed a $16 million investment over the estimated amount.
Specifically, the firm estimated the work at $35 million, while the proposed amount was about $19 million.
However, the additional investment will not harm travelers because the firm committed to charge the $7 minimum rate per traveler on the fixed handbill.
Regarding the technical resolutions, the firm offered more than it was required.
For example, the firm proposed to build a 22,949 square meter structure, while the bid requested just a 13,500 square meter construction.
In regards to the deadline for the concession expiration, the firm estimated 20 years as enough time to recuperate the investment.
The Daniel Oduber Airport is the second airport in the nation. It has seen a 610% increase in tourists in the last five years.
Due to this high demand, the process for the construction of a new passenger terminal through a public work concession was decided.
Once the President and the Transportation Secretary have adjudicated the project, the contract will be refined to be submitted for the Nation General Comptroller's approval.
After the agreement is approved, the firm will have six months for the financial closing, obtaining the studies and finishing the designs.
It is estimated that the work will begin in July 2009 and conclude by the end of the same year or beginning of 2010, according to Gonzales.
The new building will have two levels.
Danny Canales
dcanales@larepublica.net
