Key airstrip to reopen

People of Nissan Island in Bougainville have been told that flights to the island will begin as soon as the airstrip is rehabilitated and opened.
Esa’ala MP and Minister for Civil Aviation Davis Steven visited the islanders last weekend accompanied by Minister for Bougainville Affairs Joseph Lera, North Bougainville MP Lauta Atoi and a team from the National Airports Corporation.
They travelled to Nissan Island on a ferry and experienced the kind of transport the people used to get to the atolls.
Steven told the people that under the Bougainville rural airstrip project, Nissan Island would be the first to have its airstrip opened. It will be funded by the Government.
He said the project would be a catalyst for the islands’ social and economic growth.
Steven challenged the people to participate in tourism, agriculture and fishing, and use the air transport once it is operational.
Lera welcomed news of the airstrip’s restoration.
“We don’t have time to waste but to be united to rebuild our region,” Lera said.
THE NAC team collected information on the design and scoping work of the airstrip.