HONE SIAME, Kitwe
GOVERNMENT has started upgrading Kasama airport into an international airport at a cost of K141million, with Northern Province Minister Freedom Sikazwe, urging the Chinese contractor, An-Hui-Shuin Construction Group to ensure quality works.
In an interview yesterday, Mr Sikazwe said the airport has been in a deplorable state and its upgrading to international standards will boost tourism in the northern tourism circuit.
The northern tourism circuit comprises Northern, Muchinga and Luapula provinces.
Mr Sikazwe said Northern Province is endowed with a number of eye-catching tourist sites, but access to these places has been hampered by the poor road network.
He hopes that the upgrading of the airport, coupled with the robust road infrastructure development programme that Government has embarked on, would enhance tourism activities in the area.
Mr Sikazwe said the Kasama airport project demonstrates Government’s commitment to delivering development to all parts of the country.
“The contractor is already on the site. This is a very important project for us because it will boost tourism in the province,” Mr Sikazwe said.
The minister also said that having an international airport in Kasama will open up the northern region for investment in various sectors.
“This is the development we promised our people when we were in opposition, and we are just fulfilling our campaign promises,” Mr Sikazwe said.
The scope of work involves, among other things, the extension of the airport’s runway, from the current 1.7km to 3km in order to cater for larger aircrafts.