Chileka International Airport renovations late by 10 years
Renovations of a Chileka International Airport terminal have missed the deadline by 10 years.
The renovations were supposed to be over and the project handed over by 2012 but officials at the airport Tuesday told Minister of Transport Jacob Hara that breaks in funding had delayed the project.
Hara, however, reiterated the government’s commitment to seeing the airport upgraded to international standard through infrastructure development.
“Even if we complete the project and hand it over today, it would still be a very old project. Some of the standards which were acceptable that time are no longer acceptable now. We hear it was because of finances but the government of President Lazarus Chakwera will make sure that the airport is of international standard.
“It is not only about that building. Even the fire assembly unit is dilapidated. In fact, I say comfortably that Chileka International Airport does not have a fire department,” he said.
The minister ordered an overhaul of the Department of Immigration Services’ counter, describing it as below par.
“Who said yes to this design? Don’t you people go out of the country? Do you find these types of counters?” he said.
Earlier on, Hara inspected construction works at Blantyre Police Station, where he expressed dismay over project progress.
The minister also visited Central and East African Railways premises, where he appreciated a dry pot for the country’s imports and exports by rail before proceeding to the Department of Road Traffic and Safety Services.
