Business Reporter
THE Namibian Government together with state-owned enterprise Namibia Airports Company (NAC) on 9 June commissioned the Katima Mulilo Airport Runway Rehabilitation Project to improve the landing and take-off of aircraft at the strategically located airport in the north-east of Namibia, essential for the promotion of tourism and ensuring competitive advantage.
The project, fully funded by the government, is valued at N$96 million of which N$39 million was released recently.
The project is expected to take about five months. Candino Contractors and Bicon Namibia Consulting are the contractor and consultants respectively.
Officiating the ground-breaking ceremony, Works and Transport Minister John Mutorwa explained that the delay in works initially started in 2013.
“The tender for the rehabilitation of the runway, taxiway and apron at the Katima Mulilo Airport was approved on 10 September 2013. However, due to the poor state of maintenance of the airport over the years, it became necessary to amend the initial scope of work to address the excessive deteriorated runway, apron, and taxiway. The change of scope was approved by the Tender Board of Namibia on 13 February 2014,” Mutorwa said.
NAC Board of Directors Chairperson Dr Leake Hangala welcomed the latest commitment from the government on the airport infrastructure development.
“This work will enable the NAC to deliver on its mandate which is to ensure safe and secure movement of aircraft at the aerodrome. We would like therefore at the outset, to convey our warm felt appreciation and thanks to the Government of the Republic of Namibia and the Ministry of Works and Transport in particular for arranging funds that enabled the relaunch of the rehabilitation work here today.
“Whilst the project will be directly managed by the Ministry of Works and Transport, NAC is pledging that it will work together with all involved to ensure that the final product of the rehabilitation works. We will follow national and international civil aviation regulations and standards,” Dr Hangala said.
He said there is a need to modernize the terminal building with associated pavements and infrastructure at Katima Mulilo Airport and Rundu Airport.
“This is highly essential for the promotion of tourism and to ensure competitive advantage considering the strategic location of Katima Mulilo which is connected to five southern African countries under the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA) in the SADC region,” Dr Hangala said.
Chairperson of the Zambezi regional council Matengu Simushi, delivering the remarks of Governor Lawrence Sampofu, called on the stakeholders involved in the project to ensure that it is finalised on time and within budget.
“We also urge you to enlist local people for work to ensure that they also feel part of the project which is aimed at bringing development to the region. We will be monitoring the works and will ensure that this project indeed delivers on its promises from the contractor, consultants, and the commitment from government to our people,” Simushi stated.
