UGANDA, Hoima | Real Muloodi News | The timeline for completing Kabalega International Airport in Hoima City faces a significant delay as the contractor, SBC, requests more than fifteen months to finalise the works.
Originally slated for completion in October of the current year, the contractor, a joint venture of Israeli-British firms Shikun and Binui International-SBI/Colas Limited, now seeks additional time to complete crucial tasks, including the construction of the control tower, installation of electricity, CCTV cameras, fibre optic cables, and other essential operations at the airport.
Amos Muriisa, the Communications Manager at SBC, clarified that the extension is necessary due to various factors, notably the redesign of the control tower from mobile to fixed, impacting the overall construction progress and causing delays.
Muriisa emphasised that the contractor requires an additional USh160 billion to complete the remaining works.
Dr Michael Mugerwa, the Oil Refinery General Manager, confirmed ongoing negotiations with the government to secure additional funding for the airport project.
He stressed the importance of promptly executing the remaining works to ensure the airport’s full operationalisation within the stipulated fifteen-month timeframe requested by the contractor.
Construction of the USD 309 million Kabalega International Airport, financed by Standard Chartered Bank, commenced in April 2018.
Positioned as a critical support infrastructure for the burgeoning activities leading to commercial oil production, the airport will boast the capacity to accommodate four cargo planes simultaneously.
Upon completion, the airport will feature a comprehensive array of facilities, including a fire station, apron, control tower, accommodation facilities, parallel runways, taxiway, air rescue firefighting house, power substation house, communications and navigation systems, perimeter fence, and air-ground illumination system.
The runway, measuring 3.5 kilometres in length and 45 meters in width, is reported to be 99 per cent complete.
While significant progress has been made, with the cargo terminal building, limited-capacity passenger terminal building, air rescue firefighting house, power substation house, and air-ground lighting system already completed, the overall completion stands at 95 per cent.
The project encountered a hiatus in February 2023 when the contractor suspended construction due to the government’s failure to allocate over USh126 billion for the remaining works, particularly the control tower.
During this period, State Minister for Works, Fred Byamukama, raised concerns over alleged price exaggeration by the contractor for construction materials, prompting investigations into potential malpractice.
Byamukama highlighted suspicions of collusion between the contractor and government officials to misappropriate funds allocated for the airport construction.
However, in April 2023, construction resumed following a consensus between the contractor and the government, signalling a renewed commitment to complete the project.
As negotiations continue and efforts intensify to secure additional funding, the completion of Kabalega International Airport remains a focal point in Uganda’s infrastructure development agenda, crucial for facilitating the forthcoming commercial oil production activities and bolstering regional connectivity.
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