Tokua set to become international airport

 THE necessary infrastructure is being planned for Tokua as an international airport, Deputy Prime Minister and regional member for East New Britain Leo Dion says.

Dion said the government had affirmed that Tokua Airport was an international airport and developments would take place.

“We must follow the policy decisions that the government has made and as a regional member, I am concerned about the migration facilities and have raised this with governor, EremanToBaining Jnr, provincial administration and Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, who has directed that it must be done,” he said.

“The containers that are placed at the airport have rubbished our province and the PM has agreed that some permanent infrastructure be put up so we can process travellers who come from Australia to Lihir and other places.”

He said this arrangement had begun to take place.

“I am pleased and congratulate Simon Foo on his appointment as CEO of Air Niugini.”

He said this was not something that had happened overnight but something the province had been working on for many years. 

“I must congratulate the people of East New Britain that this arrangement is coming through now. 

“There is no change of the status of Tokua as it remains an international airport and I am now urging the landowners of Tokua Airport to organise themselves, work together for their entity so that they could start negotiating with the government if those proposals come through,” he said.