NDP 2022 to be held at Marina Bay floating platform following delay in NS Square redevelopment

SINGAPORE — Redevelopment works on the Marina Bay floating platform have been delayed by a year due to Covid-19, allowing for this year's National Day Parade (NDP) to be held there before construction starts, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said on Tuesday (March 22).

The venue is slated to be transformed into the NS Square, which was first announced by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in 2017. Works were supposed to start this month and finish by the end of 2025. 

"Because of Covid-19, we will start that development later, which allows us to hold NDP 2022 there this year," Dr Ng said in a Facebook post. 

The venue for this year's parade had not been announced previously. 

"Look forward to combined air, land and sea components for NDP 2022 and larger crowds for both participants and spectators," Dr Ng added. 

In a joint statement on Tuesday, the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of National Development said that due to the ongoing Covid-19 situation and its impact on the construction sector, works on the venue have been rescheduled to start in March 2023 and are expected to be completed by end-2026.

When completed, NS Square will be a permanent space that will serve as a "flexible community and events venue", the ministries said. 

It will also feature a National Service-themed gallery, community sports facilities and a new public waterfront promenade.

NATIONAL EDUCATION SHOWS

On Feb 28, the Ministry of Education uploaded a tender on government procurement portal GeBiz, requesting for bus services for the National Education (NE) shows.

The tender listed July 9, 16 and 23 as dates for the show, and called for around 1,050 buses to provide two-way transport. It also requested for a management team to coordinate buses and ferry spectators.

The NE shows were not part of the previous two NDPs, owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.