GOVERNMENT’S efforts to improve the aviation sector are being stepped up following achievements recorded in the construction and expansion projects being undertaken in various airports in the country.
The projects are being carried out under a main motivation of enabling the country to improve the contribution of air transport to the national income.
As of now, a total of 11 airport projects are in the pipeline for construction and renovation. The move aims at strengthening the aviation sector for the country’s economic prosperity.
Some of the ongoing airport projects include Mtwara, Songea (Ruvuma), Iringa, Songwe, Musoma (Mara).
Mtwara Regional Commissioner Colonel Ahmed Abbas on Friday expressed satisfaction with the renovation and rehabilitation progress of Mtwara Airport which has reached 93 per cent.
The work which is expected to be completed next month, aims at opening up economic opportunities within the region and other neighboring areas.
The RC made the remarks during his visit to inspect the work progress of the project, saying it has been carried out at satisfactory standards.
“The renovation and upgrading of this airport will help to attract both domestic and international flights, resulting boosting the economy at regional and country level, upon completion of the facility,” he said.
Moreover, the RC said building of a fence and demarcation of the airport area will help to control invasion and ensure safety of people and infrastructure.
Mtwara Airport Manager, Mr Samuel Mruma said the construction which involves expansion of the runways will enable the airport to handle large airplanes such as the Dreamliner, Bombardier and Airbus.
Mr Mruma further pointed out some of the works that have been completed so far as construction of a taxiway, airport apron, runways, water storage borehole and car parking area.
He said work in progress include construction of the security fence around the airport and internal roads around the fence. Procurement process for fire hydrant truck is also in progress.
Mr Mruma further encouraged other stakeholders including the Airport Police, Immigration, and Tanzania Revenue Authority to get prepared for working 24 hours upon completion of the facility.
On his part, Tanzania National Roads Agency (Tanroads), Mtwara Acting Manager, Eng Michael Nkya said that so far the number of Tanzanians who got jobs due to the project has reached 299, of which 271 are men and 28 are women.
He also said that the contractor has already been paid all the advance payment claims worth 7bn/-, equivalent to 15 per cent of the project value.
Last week, President Samia Suluhu Hassan said the government is working on a target to open up economies in all regions through improvement and construction of various infrastructures that includes roads, railways and airports.
She made the statement while laying a foundation stone for the construction of the Iringa airport in Iringa region.
“This bold move, which aims to improve infrastructures of different airports in the country, will play a great role in strengthening tourism as well as opening various economic opportunities for the locals,” she said.
Tabling the national budget in the parliament for the 2022/23 fiscal year, in June this year, Minister for Finance and Planning Dr Mwigulu Nchemba said the improvement of airport infrastructure in various parts of the country is ongoing.
He said in the implementation of airport infrastructures, the government signed a contract for the construction of Msalato International Airport for the first phase. He said the first phase involves the construction of a runway and a passenger terminal.
“In addition, the government has completed expansion of the runway and the aircraft control system at Dodoma Airport; as well as architecture and preparations for the construction of a passenger terminal at Mwanza Airport,” he said.
