Work to upgrade Tamale Airport commences

Preparatory works have commenced on the $100-million upgrading and expansion project at the Tamale Airport. So far, the Brazilian contractors, Queiroz Galvao, have begun testing the soil and taking measurements for the actual physical works to begin. 

The contractors are also putting finishing touches to their accommodation and office structures, comprising  warehouses, a laboratory, a canteen and a medical centre at the Airforce base in Tamale. 

Project

The contractural agreement for the project, expected to be completed in September next year, was signed between the management of the Ghana Airports Company Limited and the Brazilian construction company and subsequently rectified by parliament in September last year.

The first phase involves the extension of the runway from the current 2,480 metres to about 3,940 metres and the installation of a complete lighting system to be able to accommodate bigger aircrafts.

The Minister of Transport, Mrs Dzifa Attivor, accompanied by the Chief Director of the ministry, Mr Twumasi Ankra Selby,  paid a working visit to the site last Tuesday to acquaint themselves with the status of the project.

They were conducted round the various facilities by the project engineer, Pedro Alexandre Figueiredo Alves.

Briefing the minister, the planning engineer of the project, Thiago Pinho, explained that even though some of their equipment had arrived on site, they were still expecting more from Brazil and Europe to facilitate their work.

He indicated that aside extending the runway, the existing one would be replaced and  other facilities upgraded to meet international standards to stand the test of time.

The officer said some core staff, made up of Ghanaians and Europeans, had been recruited, but the management was still searching to engage additional qualified staff to meet the full complement of workforce. 

RCC

Earlier in a courtesy call on the Northern Regional Minister, his deputy, Alhaji A.B.A. Fuseini, emphasised that the project was significant to the people, particularly in job creation and the rapid socio-economic development of the area.

He pledged the unflinching support of the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) to the successful completion of the project and promised to ensure that all bottlenecks, including those associated with land acquisition and the resultant challenges that come with it, were resolved amicably.

“We are in constant talks with our distinguished chiefs and the lands commission to help in resolving any land litigation to pave the way for the expansion project since the benefits to be driven from such a landmark development would be massive for the people,” he assured.

Commitment.

Mrs Attivor expressed the commitment of the government in extending opportunities to all parts of the country for accelerated growth and development of the people.

“This project is dear to the government and the people in this part of the country and so we are determined to ensure that it is completed on schedule not only as a fulfilment of our campaign promise and manifesto, but also as a social obligation,” she indicated.

She said apart from serving Ghanaians in the northern part of the country, the new Tamale International Airport would also provide services to other sub-Saharan regions, including Burkina Faso and Mali.

Mrs Attivor added that the airport would serve hundreds of Muslims in the North and neighbouring countries on their annual  pilgrimage to Mecca, while supporting the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) in the export of perishable goods, especially fruits and vegetables, to Europe.