By Johnson Kanyesige
The contractor of Kabalega International Airport has postponed the second phase of the airport construction that includes establishment of seven facilities worth 14 million Euros due to unavailability of funds.
Patrick Batumbya, a consultant engineer for MBW Consulting while presenting an update of the airport on behalf of SBC Uganda that was contracted to build the airport, says the affected infrastructure include the transmission line, fuel farm, firefighting trucks, mobile control tower, alarm system, housing facilities among others and are now planned for the next phases.
Batumbya says the government of Uganda will have to provide the funds if the project is to be completed.
This was revealed during the monitoring visit conducted by the Inspectorate of Government Hon Betty Kamya at the airport site in Kabaale sub county, Hoima district won Thursday.
Batumbya adds that they also want additional funds to put up new structures and facilities which amount to 33 million euros. These include floodlights, signage, low voltage installations among others.
Patrick Kayima, an official working with the ministry of works and transport says some items were reduced from the scope of works because the requests for extra funds from the ministry of finance were rejected.
Hon Betty Kamya, the Inspectorate of Government says as an institution, they have obtained clear information that there is no clear exit plan by the contractor and this calls for engagement with all the key stakeholders in the sector to ensure the plan of having the first oil drop out in 2025 comes to a fruition.
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