The cost includes the damage of the lightning protection on the roof, according to a response from the Ministry of Infrastructure, Science and Technology. "This is temporary work as the permanent solution will be done during the completion of the airport. We did the temporary work because the specified roof sheets cannot be bought off the shelf and we had to cover the building to reduce further damage to the building and equipment as it was raining at the time. The lead time for procurement of the roof sheets was more than four weeks," the ministry said in a statement to The Monitor. But costs are expected to escalate as the ministry engaged two consultancy companies; shortly after the airport rooftop was blown away, to determine the cause of the structural failure. The tender was awarded to Geoflux and William Lee & Associates.
Asked how much the consultants have charged for the job, the Ministry would not give a definite answer. "We have not been invoiced by the two companies yet as you might be aware that this was an emergency situation," it said The ministry further says temporary repair work was completed on March 11, 2013. "One of the consultants has submitted his report and we are waiting for the other. We are currently perusing the report," the statement said. A thunderstorm at the beginning of March blew off the western part of the roof of the SSKIA terminals, forcing authorities to close the international arrivals area and relocate it.
