Airport programme to continue, says Steven

National

By MALUM NALU
THE Civil Aviation Development Improvement Programme will continue despite the Government’s current cash crisis, Civil Aviation Minister Davis Steven says.
Under the programme, the 21 airports in the country outside Port Moresby are being developed in a K1.6 billion project.
It is funded under the Multi-Tranche financing facility in partnership with the Asian Development Bank, with counterpart funding from the Government.
Prime Minister Peter O’Neill last year opened the renovated Hoskins Airport in West New Britain which cost K78.4 million, and the new K68 million Kagamuga International Airport terminal building in Mt Hagen.
Another K82 million is for the renovation of Goroka Airport, the extension of the runway and a new terminal building.
“All the sectors of Government are facing the crunch,” Steven said.
“We are all being affected adversely, the result of which you can see in the Government’s recently- passed supplementary budget. Cut everywhere.
“(But) we are under contractual obligations so our administration is managing with central agencies to make sure that we continue where we can, mitigate our liabilities or exposure.”
Airports such as Jackson, Nadzab and Tokua are being developed under the Strategic Airport Development Programme.
A new international airport at Nadzab will be built by Japan at a cost of K700 million.