Construction of new apron for KIA underway
PThe Minister of Aviation, Joseph Adda, has cut the sod for the construction of a new apron for the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) and a new headquarters’ block for the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).
An apron is the area of an airport where aircrafts are parked, unloaded refuelled, or boarded. The “Northern Apron”, to be constructed for KIA, would have the capacity to accommodate 14 aircrafts of varying sizes.
The eight-storey GCCAA headquarters, to sit an area of about 9,300 metre square, would have spaces for offices, underground parking floor, data centre infrastructure facilities, cafeteria, gym and nurse station.
Both projects are expected to be completed within 24 months.
Mr Adda said the two projects would further the government’s vision to expand the frontiers of the aviation sector towards making Ghana the aviation hub in the sub region.
The apron, he said would create space to accommodate more aircraft in hope of the growing aviation traffic in the country while the new GCCA block would give the authority sufficient space to work effectively.
Mr Adda pointed out that the two projects would serve the private sector operators within the aviation sector to undertake their business and serve passengers better.
He announced that the ministry had secured 70 million dollars for the Tamale International Airport Expansion Works Phase II, and that, the sod would be cut next week.
He hinted of plans to ease traffic congestion in the Airport City enclave through the expansion of the road network and introduction of light rail and other means of transport.
Legislative work, Mr Adda said, was ongoing to amend existing aviation laws to strengthen safety, as well as the introduction of new regulations to establish an independent accidents and serious incidents investigations bureau.
These, he said, would help build the confidence in the country’s aviation industry, improve its global ranking as well as attract more airlines.
He cautioned heads of the GCCA and Ghana Airport Company Limited (GACL) to protect the public purse and ensure value for money with respect to public procurement.
Mr Simon Allotey , Director General of GCCA, said the current headquarters of the agency , built in the 1960s was no longer fit for purpose hence the need for a new one to accommodate its increasing equipment and staff.
He assured to provide the necessary support to Amandi Investments Limited with which the authority had signed a turn-key agreement to complete the projects on time.
Mr Yaw Kwakwa, the acting Managing Director of the GACL said the apron would help provide world class services to patrons and position the country as the prepared aviation hub in the sub region and pledged to champion the company’s mandate.
BY JONATHAN DONKOR
