Manus rejoices over new terminal

AVIATION

National Airports Corporation managing director and chief executive officer Rex Kiponge (left) with chairman chairman Rowland Abaijah (middle) and Prime Minister James Marape during the opening of the Momote terminal in Manus on Monday. – Nationalpics by NICKY BERNARD

By PETER ESILA
CHANTS of wuroh, wuroh, wuroh the local Manus expression of applaud rang throughout at the opening of the Momote airport terminal on Monday.
Beats of the more familiar sound of the Manus garamut and dance were part of the day’s events to celebrate the occasion of the long-awaited terminal opening. It’a design, from air represents a stingray, a cartilaginous fish common in Manus.
Prime Minister James Marape led a delegation of ministers, Manus Governor Charlie Benjamin and Manus MP Job Pomat and with industry representatives to officiate at the event.
The Civil Aviation Development Investment Programme (Cadip) has proven to be a successful venture initiated by the Somare Government in 2009 in partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and equally supported by the O’Neill and Marape governments.
Cadip is implemented by the National Airports Corporation (NAC).
Work on Manus cost K101.9 million which included a new terminal, pavement strengthening and runway extension from 1,810 metres to 2,010 metres, a new airport market facility, construction of powerhouse and installation of standby power supply, installation of an airfield lighting system, and installation of a water supply.
NAC managing director and chief executive officer Rex Kiponge said the primary objective of the Momote upgrade was to ensure saety and security compliance and operational certification to International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards as recommended practices (SARPs) and the PNG Civil Aviation Rules Part 139 as administrated by Civil Aviation Safety Authority PNG (Casa PNG).

**Manus traditional dancers performing at the opening of the Momote airport terminal in Manus on Monday.**

“This is the primary objective of the current Cadip,” Kiponge said.
Work on the airport started on Sept 8, 2017.
The new terminal has a VIP (very important people) lounge, a 139-seated departure lounge, check-in counters, an arrival lounge with a baggage conveyor belt, baggage screening machines, closed-circuit camera TVs, a kiosk, toilets and other facilities.

The Momote airport can now accommodate regular flight operations of Boeing 737 to 800 series type aircraft; the new terminal that can accommodate two Fokker 100 type aircraft on the grounf at the same time and all other associated works.
“Cadip has been an ongoing largest aviation investment undertaken by the Government with support from ADB and implemented by NAC through the project implementing unit (PIU),” Kiponge said.
“The 12-year programme was initiated in 2009 by the Government and ADB at a total cost of K1.67 billion.
“Out of the total cost, the ADB’s multi-tranche financing facility (MFF) loan component is K1.4 billion and the Government’s counterpart funding is K221 million.
“Cadip has been delivered through three tranches or a series of projects. Tranche 1 projects commenced in 2009 and ended in 2015. Tranche 2 projects commenced in 2014 and its MFF loan funding ended on Nov 24, 2021.
“Tranche 3 projects commenced in March 2017. Funding from ADB’s loan component had also ended on the Nov 24, 2021. The Momote airport upgrade is financed under Tranche 3 of the MMF loan.
“The purpose of Cadip is to redevelop and revitalise the nation’s aviation infrastructure and to ensure operational safety and security compliances to ICAO standards and regulations as administered by Casa PNG. The programme was also aimed at creating a sustainable civil aviation network that supports the current needs and future growth demands of our nation,” Kiponge said.