Namibia Airports Company (NAC) Chief Executive Officer, Bisey |Uirab, has said the company plans to invest over N$ 1.3 billion in infrastructure development across all eight airports in the country within the next five years.
|Uirab made the announcement on Wednesday at the Hosea Kutako International Airport (HKIA) during a tour with stakeholders from the banking sector to assess progress made so far in the expansion of the airport.
He said the investment will be for all airports under its management across the country with the aim of improving compliance, operational efficiency and revenue generation. Immediate interventions include N$ 250 million for the HKIA terminal congestion alleviation and N$ 20 million for the Eros Airport runway holding action. These are meant to address immediate safety and security concerns at the two airports, as well as the congestion situation particularly at HKIA.
“Despite COVID-19 challenges, over N.dollars 174 million has been invested in the Eros and HKIA projects within the 2019/20 and 2020/21 financial year – N.dollars 154 million was spent on HKIA and N$ 20 million on Eros Airport. During this difficult time, the government has assisted with funding in order for NAC to seamlessly execute these projects,” said |Uirab.
He added that the lined-up projects for the following financial year include the HKIA apron expansion that will cost N$ 70 million, HKIA CUTE System which is budgeted to cost N$ 16 million, Ondangwa apron rehabilitation (N$ 16 million), Katima Mulilo runway holding action (N$ 32 million), Walvis Bay airside boundary wall (N$ 10 million), Walvis Bay electronic equipment (N$ 4 million), and HKIA road upgrade at a cost of N$ 4 million.
“Our 2020-2025 strategic plans envisage that NAC’s ability to deliver on its strategic priorities is aimed at marketing initiatives geared towards improving revenue and are heavily dependent on a collaborative stakeholder engagement with the public and private sector. These include Government, through its various ministries and agencies,” noted |Uirab.
He further added that the company firmly believes that its relationships with the banking sector and central government have become critical for the resuscitation of the aviation and tourism industries post-COVID-19.
Source: NAMPA / Xinhua
