Sell Nigg for £1 Thurso says to KBR

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 23rd Apr 2010

Liberal Democrat candidate John Thurso has called on KBR the American owners of Nigg to sell the yard for a token £1.

"Nigg yard is critical to the future economy of Easter Ross. It is ideally equipped to be a major site for investment in marine renewable energy with the potential to provide thousands of good quality jobs. It is unthinkable that such a key asset should be left in mothballs."

"The decision by owners KBR not to go ahead with development is a setback and has wasted six months. Politicians of all parties and at all levels have done their utmost to assist the company. The Scottish Enterprise Minister has been to Houston. The Highland council and HIE have offered significant financial help. I have had repeated meetings with the company, met the Energy Minister on their behalf and, as a result, they have had meetings with DECC officials. Everything possible has been done to assist the company."

"If after all that help KBR cannot see the value in investing in the yard then I can only conclude that they regard the yard as without value. I therefore call on KBR to sell the yard to HIE or the Highland Council immediately so that development can take place. This facility was created with the help of substantial sums of public money and that public investment cannot be left to rot. Should KBR not make such an offer to sell then compulsory purchase proceedings should commence immediately."

"This yard is simply too important to be left in mothballs. If KBR will not use it then I say stand aside and let companies who want to invest get on with the job and I have written to the company to make the point."