Special assistant to the President for project monitoring and implementation Lucky Mulusa has said that the government would resolve delays in construction of a new runway at Kasama airport.
The project, which would be undertaken at a cost of K144 million will see the airport handle larger planes. According to Northern Province Permanent Secretary Hlobotha Nkunika, the new runway will also help boost potential of tourism in the Northern Circuit. It would also open the area to the outside world.
Mr Mulusa said this when he visited the site last month and added that it was important to have the project completed in order for the people to realize related benefits. The project would entail construction of a new 3 km runway to bituminous standards. The runway would be constructed parallel to the existing 1.7 kilometer runway.
The project would be undertaken by Chinese Anhui-Shuin Construction Group of China, which according to reports, has started mobilizing of resources for the runway project. Lucie Hua, a representative of the company said that the company was ready to start off with the construction of the runway as soon as the consultant is engaged.
President of Zambia Michael Sata said on February that the country would improve airports to international standards. A passenger terminal would be constructed at the cost of US$25m at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport to help handle 4 million passengers. Other projects would be relocation of Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe Airport in Ndola and Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International airport. The country has also initiated road projects.