BUDGET 2018: Lethem to get int’l aerodrome

The Lethem airstrip will be upgraded into a regional hub and international aerodrome, in order to receive flights originating from Brazil and other Latin American neighbours, Finance Minister Winston Jordan has announced.

He explained that government is in negotiation with a multilateral donor to secure a US$15 million loan, to finance a project for further aerodrome and airstrip development across the hinterland.

“In an effort to guide the continued transformation and modernisation of the aviation sector, work on the development of an aviation master plan will commence, in 2018,” he stated.

Jordan said the government has set aside $250 million to improve airstrips and aerodromes across the country, of which $140 million will be used to commence the rehabilitation of airstrips at Bemichi and Kamana.

Another 12 airstrips across the hinterland regions will be rehabilitated at a cost of $110.3 million, he stated.