. MUKANGA

By MAIMBLWA MULIKELELA –
THE Government has released about US$25 million as advance payment towards the reconstruction and expansion of the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka.
Transport, Works, Supply and Communications Minister Yamfwa Mukanga said the Government was committed to the development of the international airport, as demonstrated by the release of the funds to carry out the project.
Speaking when he toured Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka yesterday, Mr Mukanga said the Government was happy that the preparatory works for the reconstruction and expansion of the airport had commenced.
“In the next two months we are going to see the camps being set up and a lot of works being done because there are a lot of things that should be done before the reconstruction and expansion of the airport is starts,” he said.
Speaking at the same occasion, National Airports Corporation Limited (NACL) managing director Robinson Misitala expressed happiness with the progress being made towards the commencement of the construction work.
Mr Misitala said the construction of the US$360 million project would focus on priority areas like the passenger and cargo terminal and fire station.
The ultra-modern passenger terminal with the capacity to handle four million passengers per annum is part of the NACL’s five-year strategic plan aimed at repositioning the organisation through an ambitious expansion and upgrade programme.
“The contactors are now on site and they are currently setting up the construction camps and equipments are also already on site. The clearing has started on the terminal building and we expect work to intensify within next two months,” he said.
Mr Misitala said as part of the expansion, NACL would be constructing two hotels to cater for the increased traffic.