Tamale airport expansion commences today

President John Dramani Mahama will today break ground to commence the expansion of the Tamale Airport in the Northern Region.

The construction, which will be completed in September 2015, was signed September last year between management of the Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL) and Brazilian construction firm, Geiroz Galvao Construction.

Deputy Transport Minister, Joyce Bawa Mogtari said the President decided to set up the facility to open up the Northern sector for economic activities and also create avenues for employment.

“The project other than engaging people in terms of contractual work, will also be employing people directly. Most of these workers are actually drawn from Ghana. Infact the expatriate staff form a very small number of the entire working force.”

“We are actually hoping that eventually the potential Hajj pilgrims will be airlifted directly from Tamale. Specifically those within the Sahilian belt of the country,” she explained.

The first phase of the expansion will be the extension of the runway and the installation of a complete lighting system to be able to accommodate larger aircrafts.

The runway alone will cost about $100million, Former MD of the GACL, Doreen Fianko told journalists.

Credits :citifmonline