The Minister of Transport, Mike Hammah has cut the sod for the commencement of the phase three of the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) development project, which is estimated to cost $51 million.
He noted that the construction of a new fire station is expected to be completed by the end of the year. �The construction of a modern fire station will enable the airport to achieve the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) recommended response time of two minutes to the end of the operational runway during an emergency,� he said.
Mr. Hammah observed that the rehabilitation of the KIA had improved the aviation industry in Ghana, indicating that the number of airlines at the facility had increased as a result of the development. He charged contractors of the project to do a �qualitative job that would ensure value for money.�
Doreen Owusu Fianko, Managing Director of the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL), said air traffic projections in Ghana indicate that there would be a growth in aircraft movement from 15,225 in 2009 to 27,882 by 2024, with its accompanying passenger growth from 980,468 to 2,021,291, representing an average annual growth of 18 percent.
She said cargo would also grow from 60,550 in 2009 to 130,170 tonnes by 2024, representing 47 percent growth over the projected period. Mrs Owusu Fianko said it was necessary to continuously improve technical systems and infrastructure to match growth in the industry.
Touching on an ultra modern fire station, which is under construction, she said her outfit placed high premium on rescue and fire fighting services, as enjoined by the provision of Annex 14 of the Convention of ICAO to which Ghana is a signatory.
The KIA phase three development project includes reconstruction of the taxiway pavements, apron pavements, installation of aeronautical ground lighting systems and fuel mains to the new aprons. The rest are construction of a new fire station as well as apron drainage facilities.
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