Parliament ratifies agreement to upgrade Tamale Airport
Parliament last Friday ratified the agreement between the government and a Brazilian company, Construtora for Queiroz Galvao S.A, for the design and construction of the Tamale International Airport Airfield and Pavement.
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The Ministry of Transport, acting through the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GAGL), as part of its plans, is seeking to upgrade the Tamale Airport to handle international air operations as an alternative to the Kotoka International Airport.
The upgrade is also intended to support the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) and, consequently, serve the domestic and Sahalien regions and other West African regional markets, as well as become the base for the seasonal Hajj pilgrimage flights to Mecca in Saudi Arabia.
Parliament on December 24, 2012 approved a $100 million loan from the Deutsche Bank AG for the design and construction of the airport.
The Ghana Airports Company has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Brazilian company to prepare a master plan for the construction of the airport, the upgrading of the runway and apron pavements to meet the requirements of international flights.
The project is scheduled to be executed by the contractor over a period of 18 months after the approval of the design.
The phase one of the project will involve the rehabilitation and extension of the existing runway from 248 metres to 400 metres, comprising a detailed design, extension and strengthening of the existing runway pavement, rehabilitation of the existing taxi way and taxi links and apron expansion.
Motion for approval
Moving the motion for the approval of the agreement, the Minister of Transport, Ms Dzifa Attivor, explained that in addition to opening up for international and domestic flights, the Tamale International Airport would support eco and cultural tourism in the savannah regions, while leveraging the export of fresh produce and agro-based industries.
She said the construction of the airport would also improve airport revenue which was expected to grow with future growth in air traffic, in addition to the rectification of the deficiencies in aviation infrastructure.
The Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Roads and Transport, Mr Michael Coffie Boampong, who seconded the motion, said the committee was assured that the GACL and the Ministry of Transport would carry out the project to the latter.
He said the GAGL and the ministry would do that when the contractor presented its price of quantities for negotiation and ensure that throughout the construction stage, works would meet specification requirements.
The Minority Spokesperson on Roads and Transport, Mr Kwabena Owusu Aduomi, called for the upgrade of roads leading to tourist centres in the savannah regions to enable the country to derive the full benefits after the construction of the Tamale International Airport.
Other MPs who contributed to the ensuing debate leading to the approval of the agreement were Mr Iddrisu Haruna (Tamale Central), Papa Owusu Ankomah (Sekondi) and Dr Alhassan Yakuku (Mion).