Province plans airstrips upgrade

The National Transport PNG

The Rural Airstrip Agency is looking forward to building an effective relationship with the Governor for Chimbu and the Simbu Government going forward in 2018.
Rural Airstrip CEO John Bromely hosted the Chimbu Governor Michael Dua at the RAA office last month, with a presentation on the
Rural Airstrips in the province.
Bromely said while the Kegesugl airstrip was an important restoration project for RAA in the Gembogl electorate, other airstrips in the province were also important.
Some of these airstrips include:

  • Talbakul;
  • Pinero;
  • Nambaiyufa;
  • Negabo;
  • Nomane;
  • Noru;
  • Mengina;
  • Keglsugul;
  • Karamui;
  • Kapi;
  • Haia;
  • Dobu;
  • Bomai; and,
  • Appa.

Chimbu is a unique province as it has a lot of roads, however the rugged, diverse terrain and tropical weather make travelling by road difficult, leading to a reliance on air transport in many places.
RAA noted that several important rural airstrips in the province had recorded no flights in the last few years, which meant they were closed and this affected the communities.
During the meeting, Bromley assured Dua and his officers that RAA was committed to restoring and maintaining these airstrips once an MOA was signed and work, including surveys, could be restored.
“I found the Governor is well versed with the challenges affecting his province, especially in rural links.
“Our meeting was important as it is beginning of dialogue and engagement between RAA and his Government going forward.
“We look forward to restoring more rural airstrips in Chimbu.”
The RAA is a PNG Government PPP initiative to restore rural airstrips in Papua New Guinea.