By Stanley Ove Jr – EMTV News, Port Moresby
Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill, yesterday officially opened the newly built Goroka Airport. Under the ADB Funded Civil Aviation Development Initiative Project (CADIP), the airport has received major upgrades to its runway, with a state of the art three-level terminal.
Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill, thanked ADB for its continued support with the CADIP program.
He said since 2011, the Government has delivered key infrastructure programs for airports. However, he said there is more work to be done especially for rural airstrips.
“The CADIP Program has been successful but there is more to be done. Our rugged landscapes do not allow us to build roads to our remote areas, therefore we must invest in Rural Air Services which the Government is committed in doing so,” O’Neill said.
The airport has extended its runway from 200 meters to 1.5 Kilo-Meters. The upgrade has also given the runway proper landing lights which will guide airplanes to land in bad weather.
The 3-level terminal has security scanners, 7 check-in counters, a luggage conveyor, a spacious departure lounge and toilet facilities.
Kavieng, Manus, Mendi, Alotau, Wewak and Vanimo are the next airports set for major development. The Goroka airport was built at a cost of K110 Million.
