Kisumu airport to be upgraded – estimated to cost Ksh 3 billion.
Posted by African Press International on October 22, 2008
BY DICKENS WASONGA. /API
A 22 member committee has been launched to address issues that might hinder a speedy completion of the Ksh 3b Kisumu airport upgrading project.
The committee to be chaired by the Nyanza PC Paul Olando was launched by the Kenya airports Authority managing director Mr.George Muhoho in Kisumu town.
Briefing the press after a meeting called to review progress so far made, the MD said all was well adding that the contractor who moved to the site recently amid opposition from a section of the Kogony clan can now begin to work.
The MD said already a survey of the runway has been completed and the contractor has been given permision to begin to clear the project area.
He said that the construction of the two site offices has been done and anytime now serious project implementation will start in earnest.
The Pc also confirmed that the problems which had earlier threatened to derail the project have been addressed and the clan was fully being represented in the committee dubbed the Kisumu airport development facilitation committee.
Olando said the committee will be mandated to ensure that issues like security,water and any other infrastracture that needs to be put in place during the implementation of the project is made available.
It will also be charged with the responsibility of handling the day to day running of the 22 month project which is expected to boost the economic strength of the Lake side city and the entire east African region.
When completed, the international airport is expected to handle both cargo and passenger aircrafts which will be able to land and take off at the facility. It will also help for the exportation of mainly fish and other agricultural produce from the region into international markets.
The project is also expected to offer job orpportunities to over 2000 people during its implementation and there after.
Agitation for the expansion of the Kisumu airport and its subsequent elevation into a world class international airport began several years back and has mainly been spearheaded by political leaders from the area, amongst them Mr. Raila Odinga who is now the country’s prime minister.
It has also got its fair share of controversy which pitted the Kenya Airport authority and the Kogony clan on whose land the project area is set to cover.
At one point the controversy over compensation threatened to derail the noble project that locals have been yearning for for years.
The clan members ,mobilised by Kogony land council of elders not only threatened workers but also attacked a team of officials led by the Kisumu airport manager Mr. Joseph Okumu who were on a tour of the site for a ground braking ceremony.
However the MD gave the locals an assurance that those who will be affected will be fully and fairly be compensated.
A school will also be constructed and those which are delapidated will be renovated to mordern status.
Security agents also beefed up security in the project area and work so far done has been due to round the clock survielance.
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