Mt Hagen going international

 By ELIAS LARI

THE Kagamuga Airport in Mt Hagen, Western Highlands, will be upgraded to an international airport, costing K41.5 million.

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, Civil Aviation Minister Davis Steven, Treasurer Don Polye, Petroleum and Energy Minister William Duma, Governor Paias Wingti and other Western Highlands MPs attended a ground-breaking ceremony on Monday to start its re-development from next month.

Covec Construction has been awarded the contract.

Steven said funding would be made available for the project.

“It is one of the country’s major projectsso the government is serious about it and will make sure it is completed,” Steven said.

He said the airport would serve the population in the highlands and Mamose regions and should be completed in five years.

Singsing groups added to the excitement to the ceremony.

Tribal and village chiefs expressed their gratitude to the O’Neill government for converting Kagamuga into an international airport.