‘Pekoa Airport upgrade still a priority’
By Anita Roberts.
Pekoa Airport upgrade remains a government priority and has not being ruled out, despite funds being redirected to other development projects.
Prime Minister (PM) Jotham Napat made this assurance following a question from the Member of Parliament (MP) for Santo, William Franklyn, during oral questions’ time in Parliament yesterday.
MP Franklyn sought clarification on why the VT3 billion approved by Parliament several years ago for Pekoa Airport and two others was diverted to other projects, whether new funding will be provided and when work will begin.
In his response, PM Napat said a proper assessment is needed to determine the actual cost of the upgrades and provide a clear basis for the government to consider a supplementary budget next year.
”Although VT3 billion was allocated, we do not yet know whether this amount will be able to meet the overall upgrade works. Major infrastructure projects usually require a proper assessment to determine the actual funding before works begin,” he said.
”The government intends to including funding for Pekoa, Bauerfield and Tanna airports in a supplementary budget next year. We are not rulling out the Pekoa Airport upgrade. It remains a main priority for the government.
With the expected growth in tourist arrivals in the coming years, the airport upgrade is expected to support tourism and stimulate economic growth, said the PM.
”I want to assure the people of Santo that the government did not forget you. we will need to carry out an assessment to determine the actual cost iof the upgrades and allocate the appropriate budget. We are looking at roughly VT10 billion that we can raise towards the upgrades of the three airports,” he said.
The diversion of funds allcoated for the Santo airport upgrasde is among issues raised by the Opposition Bloc in its motion of no-confidence.
The Opposition is claimed that funds were diverted to tarseal roads in Port Vila. It is concerned that the diversion of this funding has deprived the northern islands of an important investment and demonstrates the government’s lack of commitment to decentralisation.
