Hosea congestion project continues
Work on expanding the international airport is benefiting from the downtime brought about by the ban on international travel.
ELLANIE SMIT
WINDHOEK
The contractors of the massive congestion alleviation project at the Hosea Kutako International Airport are capitalising on the downtime caused by the coronavirus pandemic. This is according to the board chairperson of the Namibia Airports Company (NAC), Leake Hangala, who gave a brief update on the multimillion-dollar project.
He said 226 people are currently working on the project, of which the main contractor is Nexus Contractors. He said the project team analysed the full extent of the coronavirus impact on the project, as well as the ripple effect of post-lockdown delays on material and equipment supplies, and took steps to address these challenges.
The N$250 million project is expected to double the airport's handling capacity, while it is expected to accommodate increased passenger movements until 2030.
The expansion project, which started in October last year, aims to address congestion challenges, safety and security issues and to comply with international regulations and standards. The expansion is focused on key areas such as check-in counters, outbound luggage facilities, security checkpoints and passport control points.
Hangala said the extension of the terminal would improve the level of service to passengers in accordance with the International Air Transport Association's standards.
Furthermore, the expansion of the apron will be able to accommodate current and future demand, including aircraft parking stands, in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICOA) standards. “These works will also allow for separation between the international and domestic passengers once both terminal one and two are completed.” In March this year the NAC said N$$21 million had already been spent on the congestion alleviation project.
Not turning a blind eye
Meanwhile, the NAC also presented annual financial statements to public enterprises minister Leon Jooste on Monday for 2017, 2018 and 2019 at its annual general meeting (AGM).
In the past, the NAC had been a hotbed of allegations of corruption, bribery and fraud.
Jooste, however, stressed that the ministry would not turn a blind eye to these “historic issues”, adding that the relevant authority was investigating. “It is ongoing and if the outcome directs that there should be consequences, the law will take its course.”
Concerted effort
Hangala said over the past two years, there has been a concerted effort to conclude outstanding annual financial statements.
“We have presented these statements to our shareholders for approval and although some may view the content of the statements as historical issues, we view it as an enormous achievement to ensure that the company is fully compliant with the provisions relating to the legal framework. A governance check on the financial statements will indicate that the organisation is now current and compliant,” Hangala said.
2020 statements
Hangala added that the statements for the financial year ending 2020 are under review and are envisaged to be completed by the end of September. Only once the statements are tabled in parliament by Jooste will the information become public.
Hangala said the consolidated NAC annual report for the financial years ending 2017 to 2019 is at an advanced stage and is envisaged to be presented to the ministry by the end of July.
He added a five-year integrated strategic business plan was developed in-house. The plan was approved by the board on 5 June and will be presented to the ministry on 25 June.
WINDHOEK
The contractors of the massive congestion alleviation project at the Hosea Kutako International Airport are capitalising on the downtime caused by the coronavirus pandemic. This is according to the board chairperson of the Namibia Airports Company (NAC), Leake Hangala, who gave a brief update on the multimillion-dollar project.
He said 226 people are currently working on the project, of which the main contractor is Nexus Contractors. He said the project team analysed the full extent of the coronavirus impact on the project, as well as the ripple effect of post-lockdown delays on material and equipment supplies, and took steps to address these challenges.
The N$250 million project is expected to double the airport's handling capacity, while it is expected to accommodate increased passenger movements until 2030.
The expansion project, which started in October last year, aims to address congestion challenges, safety and security issues and to comply with international regulations and standards. The expansion is focused on key areas such as check-in counters, outbound luggage facilities, security checkpoints and passport control points.
Hangala said the extension of the terminal would improve the level of service to passengers in accordance with the International Air Transport Association's standards.
Furthermore, the expansion of the apron will be able to accommodate current and future demand, including aircraft parking stands, in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICOA) standards. “These works will also allow for separation between the international and domestic passengers once both terminal one and two are completed.” In March this year the NAC said N$$21 million had already been spent on the congestion alleviation project.
Not turning a blind eye
Meanwhile, the NAC also presented annual financial statements to public enterprises minister Leon Jooste on Monday for 2017, 2018 and 2019 at its annual general meeting (AGM).
In the past, the NAC had been a hotbed of allegations of corruption, bribery and fraud.
Jooste, however, stressed that the ministry would not turn a blind eye to these “historic issues”, adding that the relevant authority was investigating. “It is ongoing and if the outcome directs that there should be consequences, the law will take its course.”
Concerted effort
Hangala said over the past two years, there has been a concerted effort to conclude outstanding annual financial statements.
“We have presented these statements to our shareholders for approval and although some may view the content of the statements as historical issues, we view it as an enormous achievement to ensure that the company is fully compliant with the provisions relating to the legal framework. A governance check on the financial statements will indicate that the organisation is now current and compliant,” Hangala said.
2020 statements
Hangala added that the statements for the financial year ending 2020 are under review and are envisaged to be completed by the end of September. Only once the statements are tabled in parliament by Jooste will the information become public.
Hangala said the consolidated NAC annual report for the financial years ending 2017 to 2019 is at an advanced stage and is envisaged to be presented to the ministry by the end of July.
He added a five-year integrated strategic business plan was developed in-house. The plan was approved by the board on 5 June and will be presented to the ministry on 25 June.
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