Mansa airport is undergoing preliminary rehabilitation work to improve its safety and efficiency. The project, which began recently, has been long-awaited by residents and travelers in the area. The rehabilitation works are being carried out by the Zambia Airports Corporation Limited (ZACL), which is responsible for the management of all airports in the country.
Luapula province Permanent Secretary Mighty Mumba has disclosed that preliminary works have begun for the rehabilitation of the Mansa Airport in Luapula Province.
The Mansa the Airport is one of the four airports earmarked for rehabilitation. Other airports include, Mongu, Mbala, and Solwezi airports, with 700.7 million kwacha set aside for all together with the development of Chinsali, Choma, and Kasaba Bay Airports.
In an exclusive interview with the Zambian Business Times –ZBT, Mr Mumba said the contractor is already on sight undertaking the necessary preliminary works, and are yet to meet to share the scope of works, and discuss on what is contained in the contract that will be executed.
Mumba said that some of the issues that were being highlighted included the absence of lighting. He noted that Mansa airport has not had a lighting system to allow plains to land and take off in the night which will be part of the contract.
He also mentioned that there was talk of enhancing security around the airport, and putting up of cold storage facilities. “These were the issues that we have been talking about, but in terms of the actual content of the contract, and what is supposed to be implemented now after the contract has been awarded, I am not preview to it, until after the courtesy call on my office” said Mumba.
The Mansa airport rehabilitation works are an important step towards improving the infrastructure and connectivity in Zambia.
Once the rehabilitation works are complete, the Mansa airport is expected to be safer and more efficient, which will benefit both residents and travelers.
With continued investment in key sectors such as aviation, the country is well-positioned to achieve sustained economic growth and development in the years ahead.
