The official handover of the newly constructed Siavonga airstrip failed to take place on Tuesday for alleged poor workmanship on the aerodrome.
Officials from the civil aviation department refused to takeover the airstrip and described the works done on it as sub standard.
The airstrip, whose construction works have already been completed, was scheduled to be handed over to the government at a ceremony by a committee that was appointed to spearhead all works on it.
The long awaited handover ceremony flopped after civil aviation officers inspected the strip to determine the safety and security of planes that would land on it once opened.
Aviation Security coordinator, Joseph Phaika, told the gathering that according to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ACHAO), the airstrip was of sub standard and not internationally recommended.
Mr Phaika charged that there are currently international standards that have been set up by ACHAO and must be followed by Zambia.
He cited lack of markings, signages and chopping off of more than 200 meters of the runway as some of the reasons that could not permit the airstrip to resume its operations.
Mr Phaika added that the fencing which was done around the airstrip to prevent livestock and other wildlife animals from crossing the runway as poorly being done.
“There is literally nothing to show the pilot that this is the airstrip because there are no sign posts and markers on it. Instead there are small shrubs and grass over growing off the shoulders of the airstrip,” Phaika observed.
He said the airstrip in its current form poses a danger to caravans that would want to land on it and cannot be recommend for operation until the committee addresses the issues raised.
And Chief Simamba, in whose chiefdom the airstrip has been constructed, told the gathering that though he was not an expert, he was not happy with the kind of fencing that was done by the committee.
“I am not an expert but what I have seen on this airstrip gives me a wrong impression and I wonder if it will last for a long time.
Chief Simamba, however, said he looks forward to seeing the airstrip starting operations, saying there is need for those involved in the project to put things in order.
Mike Mulabe, Ministry of Tourism Standards Inspector, said he would give a conclusive report to the ministry on the recommendations by the civil aviation.
“My ministry is the one that funded the project and as I go back to Lusaka, I will submit a report to the Permanent Secretary on what is obtaining on the ground and how money was spent,” he said.
Mr Mulabe observed that once opened, the airstrip will give tourists visiting Siavonga a choice either to travel by road or fly to the area.
A concerned stakeholder, Heman Striedl, observed that the opening of the airstrip in Siavonga will also not only improve tourism but will also benefit those in the health sector as they will be able to fly their patients.
Government had released a total of K71 million to the committee to enable it erect a fence around the airstrip to prevent animals from accessing the runway.
But some quarters of society, including the Lusaka Province Joint Operations Committee (PJOC), took the committee to task on allegations that the money released was too much as compared to the kind of fencing that was done.
ZANIS
Made in Zambia what do you expect?
why were they not monitoring the works during the project cycle ? good idea not to have opened it
When are we going to get out of this cycle of project management mediocrity? Each project should normally be broken down into components and have a “RACI” matrix attached; ie, individuals who are R = Responsible, A = Accountable, C = Consulted, I = Informed for each project deliverable.
Too many under-qualified and ill-qualified engineers and technocrats in Zambia. Anybody who can do seemingly engineering works is called engineer. What a shame! Come and see the engineers and technocrats in South Africa. From airport constructions, stadia, roads, railway lines, name it. Wake up Zambiaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.
Language please…. ! ‘the fencing which was done around the airstrip to prevent livestock and other wildlife animals from crossing the runway as poorly being done’. and ‘caravans wanting to land on the airstirp’, What is this supposed to mean? someone please help.
This is an air strip people, not an airport even….and were are all the damn UNZA engineers?
They are all a bunch of loud talkin theoreticians,sad!