Plot secured for Ghanzi Airport
Ookeditse Malesela | Thursday January 31, 2019 12:46
When updating Ntlo Ya Dikgosi on Wednesday, the Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, also speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Transport and Communication, Botlogile Tshireletso said a new location for the airport development is identified and planned for the necessary Environmental Impact Assessment.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana (CAAB) had plans to construct a new airport near Ghanzi hospital. The project was based on designs completed in 2009 during the National Development Plan 10. However, it did not go through due to the moratorium on new projects then (during the economic meltdown).
“While awaiting funding in February 2015, the Department of Water Affairs advised that the proposed plot was underlain by Ghanzi area water resource, which would be polluted if the airport was built as then proposed. Under the circumstances, the development could not proceed in the same location,” Tshireletso said.
The allocation is still pending finalisation of planning the area hence it is the minister’s inability to state when construction can begin. “I am unable to state when the Ghanzi Airport will be constructed,” said Tshireletso.
The Ghanzi airport will be the second international minor airport in Ghanzi Region and the 21 in the country.