Written By:Bernard Ndong ,
Posted: Fri, May 09, 2008
__________________The Lokichogio airstrip is soon to be a fully-fledged commercial airport.
The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority has officially launched a modern Air control tower at the airstrip at a cost of 110 million shillings.
The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority has officially launched a modern Air control tower at the airstrip at a cost of 110 million shillings.
The minister for transport Chirau Ali Mwakwere says the new tower is part of the ministry's grand plan to modernize air infrastructure in Kenya.
The Airstrip that is strategically located near the Kakuma refugee camp is frequented by flights of Humanitarian organizations such as the World Food Program who transport relief food and supplies to the camp and to Southern Sudan.
The Airstrip that is strategically located near the Kakuma refugee camp is frequented by flights of Humanitarian organizations such as the World Food Program who transport relief food and supplies to the camp and to Southern Sudan.
Mwakwere who presided over the launch says commercializing the airport was inevitable.
Mwakwere's sentiments were shared by both the Minister for Labour John Munyes and Kenya Airports Authority Managing Director George Muhoho.
Mwakwere's sentiments were shared by both the Minister for Labour John Munyes and Kenya Airports Authority Managing Director George Muhoho.
Munyes says local residents would benefit more if they were part of the workforce but cited worry that the project may be threatened by recent insecurity incidents.
Transport Minister Mr Chirau Ali Mwakwere commissioned the equipment, which is expected to improve provision of air navigation services for the development of Northern Kenya.
Speaking at the launch of the airport on Thursday, Mwakwere said the tower will improve accessibility into Southern Sudan, and also improve safety of Kenya’s airspace.
The completion of the control tower reflects the changing times of the Lokichogio airport, which supports relief operations in Southern Sudan.
"This airport has greatly contributed to the success of the relief food operations in Southern Sudan, provision of food in refugees camps, both inside and outside Sudan and evacuation of victims of war," said the minister.
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Sh114m facelift for Lokichogio airport
Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) has commissioned a new control tower with a modern air traffic control system at Lokichogio Airport at a cost of Sh114 million.
Transport Minister Mr Chirau Ali Mwakwere commissioned the equipment, which is expected to improve provision of air navigation services for the development of Northern Kenya.
Speaking at the launch of the airport on Thursday, Mwakwere said the tower will improve accessibility into Southern Sudan, and also improve safety of Kenya’s airspace.
The completion of the control tower reflects the changing times of the Lokichogio airport, which supports relief operations in Southern Sudan.
"This airport has greatly contributed to the success of the relief food operations in Southern Sudan, provision of food in refugees camps, both inside and outside Sudan and evacuation of victims of war," said the minister.
"The Government is committed to opening up the Northern part of Kenya and improve the lives of people in the region. As the situation in Southern Sudan continues to improve and traffic at the airport declines, there is need to ensure that strategies are put in place to ensure sustainability of the airport by replacing relief efforts with commercial cargo, tourists and passenger traffic," added Mwakwere.
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SOURCES: The Saturday Standard
http://www.eastandard.net/business/?id=1143986310&cid=14
Published on May 10, 2008, 12:00 am
By Brian Adero
http://www.eastandard.net/business/?id=1143986310&cid=14
Published on May 10, 2008, 12:00 am
By Brian Adero
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