Tari Airiport Reopens on Independence Day
The people of Hela Province had something to celebrate this Independence with the reopening of the Tari Airport today, which remained closed for two years following the massive 7.5 magnitude earthquake in 2018 that damaged the runway.
Prime Minister James Marape and his delegation were the first to land on the newly repaired runway to a rousing welcome by school kids, singsing groups, public servants and a guard of honor from Police.
Marape while cutting the ribbon to signify the reopening of the airport said, more work will be done to complete the airport terminal and the fencing that should be fitting for a province that hosts the PNG LNG.
“With the new terminal and the runway completed, the fencing contractor has been asked to mobilize at the very earliest.”
“This airport should be fully back in business by this time next year but in between, we have asked National Airports Corporation and Air Niugini to start flights back into Tari to serve the general public”
Marape said the occasion coincided well with the country’s 45th Independence and the achievements so far.
“What a fitting occasion! where on the 45 years of our nation, we are landing on a sealed airport which was never sealed for the last 45 years.”
He said such infrastructures fall under Connect PNG and more of such services will be seen in other parts of the country.
“This sort of program will run in all our major ports, major airports and major roads in our country as far Connect PNG is concerned.”
The construction and repair work for the airport is been carried out by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) at the budget of K55 million.
Country Manager for CCECC Mr Li Hongxin confirmed that the runway costed between K20 – K22 million and the rest of the money will put towards the terminal and other areas.
PNGFM/PNG Today
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