More rural airstrips eyed under aviation plan

By MALUM NALU
Civil Aviation Minister Alfred Manase says the Government will be looking at rural airstrips following the success of the Asian Development Bank-funded Civil Aviation Development Improvement Programme (Cadip).
Speaking at the opening of the K110 million Goroka Airport upgrade project on Tuesday, Manase said: “As soon as the Cadip programme is completed in 2019, there will be discussions to have Cadip two to focus on some of our rural airstrips, and some of our important facilities.
“With the assistance of our government, I’m pretty sure that some of these will be delivered in the next round of Cadip programme.”
Manase said aviation played a crucial role for more than 80 per cent of the population living in rural areas.
“Some are only connected to the outside world by air,” he said.
“The aviation industry in this country has played and will continue to play that important role of ensuring that our social and economic welfare is secured.
“Therefore, investment in our aviation infrastructure is essential to ensuring our aviation network continues to complement, facilitate and drive the growing needs of our people as well as ensuring social and economic development.”
Manase said Cadip was a 10-year government programme funded by the ADB at a cost of K1.6 billion.
“This commenced in 2009 and will end in November next year,” he said.
“In that period, NAC (National Airports Corporation) will have completed the most-critical needs of our various airports in the country.
“My ministry, board and management, and the Cadip implementation unit, are therefore working hard with all stakeholders to ensure that Cadip programme is implemented and delivered on time, within budget and within scope so that Cadip programme is ended successfully.”