Parliament raises concerns over acquisition of land for Tamale Airport expansion
The Parliamentary select Committee on Roads and Transport has raised concerns about the improper acquisition of lands by the Ghana Airport Company Limited (GACL) for the Tamale Airport expansion works.
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The committee noted that during its visit to the area, the chiefs and elders of Nyoglo in the Savelugu Municipality brought to the fore cases of an alleged unlawful acquisition of lands belonging to the community by the GACL.
This was contained in its report on the commercial contract agreement between the government of Ghana and Queiroz Galvao Construction UK Limited for the design and execution of works in respect with the Tamale International Airport.
The committee pointed out that the Managing Director of the GACL, when he appeared before it, promised to ensure a speedy resolution of the matter to forestall unimpeded work for the Airport expansion works.
It said it was ,however, yet to be briefed on the matter and reiterated the need for the GACL to properly acquire all the lands needed for present and future expansion works.
Joint usage of facilities
The committee also expressed worry over the joint usage of facilities at the airport by the GACL and the Ghana Air force, stating that this may affect the efficiency of the facility as an alternative international Airport.
The GACL, however, explained that a new infrastructure under the phase two of the expansion project would be sited opposite the existing facilities and would be mainly used by the GACL, while the Ghana Air Force would use the old facilities.
Background
Parliament on November 14, 2013 approved the contract agreement between the government of Ghana and Queiroz Galvao S.A of Brazil for the phase one of the Tamale Airport expansion project.
The phase one, which was completed in August, 2016 included the strengthening of the existing runway pavement of 2,438 metre length, rehabilitation and extension of the existing runway to 3,400 metres, the widening and strengthening of the main taxi-link to the Apron and the expansion of the existing Apron to accommodate three wide-bodied aircrafts.
At the conclusion of works for the phase one of the project, the GACL deemed it necessary to undertake further works geared at making the airport handle international air operations as an alternative to the Kotoka International Airport.
Scope of the phase two project
The phase two of the project entails the construction of a 25,000 capacity main airport terminal building of approximately 3,000 square metre which could be expanded in the future, a Hajj facility, and a two-lane single carriageway access road and secondary roads.
The project, which is expected to be completed in 30 months, would also include a landside and airside infrastructure adapted to the terminal size, a water, power and sewage infrastructure and an apron extension.
Benefits of the project
The phase two of the project, which is expected to cost US$ 70 million, would serve as pole of development geared at opening up the northern part of the country and attract flights from the Sahelian countries.
It would also be complementary at making the Tamale Airport provide efficient services to both international and domestic passengers, while supporting the programmes of the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA).
The development of the airport is also key in the attainment of decentralisation for effective economic growth and in support of the agricultural sector by leveraging the export of fresh produce and support agro-based national strategic goal leading to the establishment of agro-based industries in the northern parts of the country.
