Ministry of Transport and Logistics Principal Public Relations Officer, Ernest Chanda, has revealed that the government has secured title for 905 hectares of land earmarked for the construction of a bigger airport in Chipata.
Mr Chanda says the title has been given to the government by Chief Nzamane in Kasenengwa District.
Securing the title is a major milestone and a pathway towards actual construction of the new Chipata Airport.
Meanwhile, works on the Mfuwe International Airport runway, pegged at K2.9 billion, are steadily progressing.
The project is being undertaken by two contractors, Tonlex Construction and Annui Construction Company, who are sharing the responsibility of constructing the 3-kilometre runway.
Tonlex is constructing a one-kilometre stretch, while Annui Construction is working on the two-kilometre stretch.
Mr Chanda, with other government officials including Eastern Province Principal Public Relations Officer, Alfareeson Sinalungu, toured the Mfuwe International to monitor progress.
Mr Chanda said the government is impressed with the progress at Mfuwe International Airport, expressing optimism that once completed, bigger planes will be landing not only from Lusaka but also from neighbouring countries.
He re-echoed the government’s commitment to promote aviation transport among Zambians and make it affordable and accessible.
Eastern Province PPRO, Alfareeson Sinalungu, and other officials also visited Chipata Airport whose works have been completed to appreciate its upgrade.
“For Chipata, a K16 million was spent on the runway rehabilitation, K500, 000 for rehabilitation of the VIP lounge, and K500, 000 for fencing,” Mr Sinalungu said.
He noted that Chipata Airport is a commercial airport that seeks to improve business undertakings, generate profit, advance economic interests and facilitate the exchange of goods and services.
Mr Sinalungu said some entrepreneurs have been eagerly waiting for smooth aviation transport in Chipata which can be utilised to cut down distances between airports and save time.
“We have our Malawian business personnel who come on a daily basis enquiring on when the airport will start its operations and want to cut on the long distances and time spent when using road transport,” he said.
Mr Sinalungu has called on members of the public and the business community to embrace aviation transport, saying the more people use it, the cheaper and more sustainable it will become.
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