|
By ALOYSIUS LAUKAI
DISCUSSIONS on improving Bougainville’s two airports were the main
agenda in a meeting between a Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) delegation
from Port Moresby and Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) President
Joseph Kabui on Monday.
The delegation’s visit to Buka led by chief executive officer Joseph
Kintau, followed a recent consultation by ABG’s transport and works
minister Patrick Nisira and acting chief Administratior Raymond Masono
with the CAA office last month, to discuss air transport in
Bougainville.
The visit by CAA officials was seen by ABG as genuine and a serious move
to improve the Buka and Aropa airports and a number of smaller
airstrips.
The talks were centred on helping the ABG in upgrading and improving the
airports and airstrips to meet safety and other CAA requirements before
allowing aircraft to use them.
The airstrips that need to be worked on are Wakunai, Tonu, Buin, Nissan,
Torokina, Arawa, Nuguria (Fead) and possibly Oria, before they are used
by third level airline operators.
The visit gave both the ABG and CAA the opportunity to seek funding for
those projects and feasibility studies in a partnership arrangement.
Mr Kabui said the talks were fruitful and encouraging for his government
and the region.
Meanwhile, the CAA bought a grass cutter for the Buka airport which is
expected to be transported there next month.
It also made available K100,000 for the upkeep of the Buka Airport.

|