The Warrap State minister of information on Monday revealed that the construction of the terminal building at Kuajok Airport commenced last Friday and is expected to be completed in two months.
Minister William Wol told Radio Tamazuj Monday that the former airstrip which was established in 2007 has never had a terminal building or fence. He said the works at the designated airport are being done by Amoco Construction Group which has imported materials from Kenya.
“The construction materials arrived from Kenya and after a few weeks, the airport’s main terminal will be ready because the foundation is finished and roofing will soon start,” he said. “The fencing and building of the terminal are progressing well. Works on the runway, which is also in the contract, are pending waiting for the arrival of some material.”
“However, most of the materials for the whole airport (project) are available here in Kuajok after they were purchased from outside the country,” Minister Wol added.
He emphasized that the construction of the Kuajok Airport will ease and lessen the cost of transportation and improve the local economy.
“The construction of the airport will reduce the cost and time of traveling from Kuajok to Wau and also reduce the airfare because travelers have to use a bus to Wau where they board planes to Juba,” he explained. “Our economy will also thrive because traders can now fly in their goods easily and this will boost the economy of the state.”
For his part, Bol Anei, the project manager of Amoco Construction Group, said the works at the airport were on course and that they expect to complete the terminal building in two months.
“The work is going on well and this (Monday) is our third day, we are in the second phase and have received the materials. The superstructure, that is the work above the ground, has now begun and it will involve roofing so we are going on well,” he said. “The fence is on hold and we are trying to finish the terminal building which measures 52 meters by 34 meters. It is divided into three sections, the one for Very Important People (VIP), another one for the regular passengers and the third one for arrivals.”
“The engineering team is fixing the big steel beams for the roof and it will take two months to complete the supper construction, including roofing, and partitioning will follow later,” Anei added.
He however refused to divulge the cost of the project, saying the cost of the airport terminal, fencing, and runway will be revealed after completion.