Africa-Press – Tanzania. EXPANSION of Kigoma airport is expected to start any time as the financier has already disbursed funds, the National Assembly heard yesterday.
Deputy Minister for Transport, Atupele Mwakibete told the lawmakers here that the expansion work was delayed because the financier European Investment Bank, had delayed providing no objection to the process to get the contractor for the project.
He also told the members of parliament that the contract for the project has been submitted to the office of the Attorney General for vetting.
He said the project is funded by EIB in collaboration with the government.
The deputy minister made the statement in response to a question asked by Kigoma Urban MP, Kilumbe Ng’enda who had wanted to know when the project would commence.
“When would the government continue with the expansion project of the Kigoma Airport as was planned?” asked the lawmaker.
The deputy minister noted that so far, EIB has issued funds and as well as no objection to getting the contractor.
“It is evident that the project will start soon once the ongoing processes are complete.
He added that after the vetting and signing of the contract implementation of the expansion work of the airport will start.
EIB issued a 50 million euro loan to help to fund the development project to renovate five airports in the country through a long-term distribution period over the next 20 years.
The five airports that are scheduled to benefit from the EIB loan program are the Bukoba, Kigoma, Shinyanga, Sumbawanga, and Tabora airports.
Money from the loan will not only help to further develop the quality and availability of air transportation to the more remote parts of western Tanzania, but will also help to expand the airport gateways in preparation for the projected growth in traffic and tourism.
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