Airport Project Committee begins preparatory works on approved site for airport construction
The Airport Project Committee, an advocacy organization for the proposed Upper East Regional Airport, is planning a series of activities to advocate for the project’s start date.
The organization, which has members both at home and abroad, says it would begin preliminary work on the suggested site at Anateem, a suburb of Sumbrungu in the Bolgatanga Municipality, in the coming days in preparation of the government’s initiation of real building.
Preparatory work will involve cleaning the runways and repairing the site’s dilapidated culverts.
The organization will also hold neighborhood durbars to educate citizens about the importance of the project and rally support for its cause.
According to Gabriel Akakire Agambila, the Committee’s Chairman, the organization would use different measures, including a peaceful demonstration, to press their desire for the airport’s development.
“We, especially those of us in the diaspora, are so much worried that work has not started on the project. That’s why we are putting pressure on everyone that we all come together. It takes you and me to work together to bring the airport to our side and we can do something by starting to clear the land,” he says.
He discloses that “Very soon we will be holding a chiefs durbar at the site and then we begin to clear the land, prepare the land whiles we wait for the authority to come in and help us. As the good book says, God helps those who help themselves. I believe if we begin to help ourselves and the government of the day sees our effort, they will come in to help us”.
Mr. Agambila, who is concerned about the government’s unwillingness to commit to the project, argues that such infrastructure is vital to the region’s growth.
Despite his appreciation for the country’s current difficulties, Mr. Agambila believes the airport’s development must be postponed any longer. He, therefore, wants the government to take steps to secure funding for the project.
“We know that his hands are tight, the government’s hands are tight, and several things to do at the same time but we are the natives of this region are still appealing to him not to forget about the promise he made 5 years ago. We are still waiting on him to fulfill his promise”.
Gabriel Agambila’s remarks follow the call of the Bongo Traditional Area’s Naba Baba Salifu Alemyaarum on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to keep his pledge to the people of the region.
When the Bonaba brought the issue before President Akufo-Addo at a durbar in Bongo during his July 2018 visit, he gave a solid assurance that he will see to the implementation of the airport’s objectives.
However, five years after the president’s vow, nothing has been done regarding the project.
With just over a year until the president and his government depart office, the Bonaba is reminding him of the importance of keeping his pledge to the area before leaving office.
The airport is vital to the region’s growth, according to Bonaba, and its construction may be further delayed if it is not started by the present administration.
Speaking to Dreamz News, the traditional ruler stated that the president showed tremendous interest in the project when he placed it before him and should, at the very least, begin building before his mandate expires.