Refurbished S/Phikwe airport ready for use

Onalenna Kelebeile | Thursday October 22, 2015 11:31

SPEDU Chief Executive Officer, Dr Mokubung Mokubung said the agency was only maintaining the runaway, which had potholes and thereby unfit for use, at a cost of P14.7 million. The project was funded by the European Union through the Re-Employment Account.

“I am happy that the project was done on time and within budget and it is one of the greatest achievements by SPEDU,” he said.

He added that the contractor, Bango Trading, handed over the project to SPEDU in September and they are soliciting interest from airlines to utilise the facility.

“We hope that Air Botswana will consider this airport as a drop off enroute to the northern part of the country. We engaged the CAAB consultants to inspect the project and it is ready for use. We count on it to facilitate business between Selebi-Phikwe and other areas,” he added.

Dr Mokubung said the handover ceremony would be done once the airport was functional. The tender process for the project was done in January while refurbishment commenced in May and was due for completion in August this year. The airport is also expected to help local tourism industry and service providers.

SPEDU aims to develop infrastructure and entrepreneurship opportunities. The airport has been identified as one of the strategic areas of development in support of economic diversification and promotion of key economic opportunities as well as enhance import substitutions.