Govt should speed up airports' project

Editor | Thursday January 10, 2008 00:00

It is said that the investors were not happy with the state of Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (SSKIA).

Currently, the airport cannot accommodate large aircraft like Boeing 747 because of its short runway (1km). Passengers using the airport are exposed to danger because it does not have an air bridge.

Airports, railways and roads can make countries competitive for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). This is especially true for countries like Botswana that have over the years banked on its peace and stability as a comparative advantage.

However, poor infrastructure for aerial travel coupled by bureaucracy has cost the country dearly in lost investment which ended up going to emerging democracies in the region that have a better transport network.

It is important that government speeds up it splans to upgrade selected airports like SSKIA and Maun so that the country readies itself for 2010 World Cup tourism opportunities. The upgrade will make Botswana competitive in attracting FDI.

However, it seems the need to speed up projects is well-known to government as seen by the recent loan deal cut by OPEC for the partial funding of upgrading and expansion of SSKIA.

The sourcing of P126 million from foreign financiers although far too short for half a billion needed for the upgrade is enough to start the project that should be finished before the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

We understand that government is still looking for other sources of funding to top up what they got from OPEC. We advise that the search should not be restricted outside the country's borders. Over the years, government has looked outside the country when it needed money for its projects like housing. Such cash come with many strings attached and can be expensive.

Although local banks might not have enough money to lend to government, the P33 billion local asset management industry is awash with cash and can chip in. It can lend to government in the form of secured bonds.

In turn government will pay interest to pensioners and make sure that jobs are created locally as the loans do not come with strings attached. 

Upgrading the airports around the country especially in tourism areas like Maun will impress investors and tourists coming to the World Cup.

The World Cup brings many people who might want to watch football in South Africa and later look for a peaceful place to relax. Everything possible should be done to make sure that such a place is Botswana.

                                                    Today's Thought
Do we not realise that self-respect comes with self-reliance?
                                                   - Abdul Kalam