Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie brings remarks as the Government signs a $14 million loan agreement at the British Colonial Hilton with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) for the installation of a new radar system and 3-D Tower Simulator, Friday, May 13, 2013. (BIS Photo/Peter Ramsay)

Nassau , Bahamas -- The Government is pressing forward with its intention to resolving  the inherent conflict associated with Civil Aviation’s dual role as both service provider and regulator, by separating these two functions and establishing the Civil Aviation Authority, to permit CAD to serve as regulator only.

Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie said the Government through its partnership with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has approved new funding framework for the authority to be established.

“The development of the Civil Aviation Authority will likewise support the Government’s economic growth agenda by ensuring that regulatory responsibilities are managed in a manner which contributes to economic development and activity while retaining The Bahamas’ excellent reputation for safe and secure skies.”

The Prime Minister was speaking at a ceremony marking the Government signing a $14 million loan agreement at the British Colonial Hilton with the IDB for the installation of a new radar system and 3-D Tower Simulator, Friday, May 13, 2013.

The Prime Minister said by becoming a modern risk management regulator, The Bahamas can improve the quality of the Authority’s interventions, and reduce the economic impact of actions on participants, while ensuring that operations are effective and efficient as necessary.

“This will require a paradigm shift in the way the Department operates and interacts with both Government and the aviation industry.

Prime Minister Christie said the development of the Civil Aviation Authority will enable cost recovery, and result in a fit-for-purpose regulator, which will permit the aviation sector to deliver enhanced safety and economic benefits for The Bahamas.

He said this will result in three major improvements:

The effectiveness of the Civil Aviation Sector will be enhanced;

Sustained improvement in safety performance will be achieved;

And stakeholder interests, including public trust and confidence in the regulatory regime and regulator will be enhanced.

“This effort has required the Government to undertake a systematic review of the current system, from a number of different perspectives, including client interests, regulatory and policy responsibilities, leadership and culture, value for money and cost.

The Prime Minister said in this context, there is an increased drive for efficiency and better services to the aviation sector, with a range of structural, funding and service delivery changes being implemented, to enable the Department to do more with less.

“It is important to note, however, that my Government is keen to ensure that customer satisfaction does not become a casualty of the drive for efficiency,” he said.