By Leilah Bbaale
Government has awarded a 15 months contract extension to Kabalega International Airport contractor SBC to complete all works.
The contractor, a joint venture of Israeli-British firms, Shikun and Binui International-SBI/Colas Limited, had initially planned to hand over the airport to the government in October this year.
Amos Muriisa, the Communications Manager at SBC, last week told the media that they were seeking more fifteen months to allow for the completion of crucial works, such as the construction of the control tower, installation of electricity, Installation of CCTV Cameras, fiber optic cables and other operations at the airport.
Now, Eng. Dr. Michael Nkambo Mugerwa the GM Uganda Refinery Holding Company which oversees the Kabalega Industrial Park (KIP) in Kabaale, Hoima says government has agreed to extend the SBC contract such that all works are completed adding that Kabalega International Airport will be fully operational by August 2025.
He has also disclosed that feeder pipelines from the Kingfisher Development Area project have reached the industrial park. The feeder pipelines will transport crude oil from the source-Upstream.
Construction works of the USD 309 million Airport financed by Standard Chartered Bank started in April 2018.
The Airport is one of the key support infrastructures for the next course of the fast-paced activities leading to commercial oil production.
Kabalega International Airport, financed by Standard Chartered Bank with a budget of USD 309 million, will have the capacity to accommodate four cargo planes simultaneously.
