09 Dec 2015

Minister of Transport and Communication, Mr Tshenolo Mabeo says there are no plans to relocate Ghanzi Airport from its current location.Answering a question in Parliament on Tuesday (December 8), Mr Mabeo said feasibility studies, through the Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana (CAAB), were done in May 2007 and a new site was currently identified and agreed with the relevant authorities.

Minister Mabeo said the new site was located approximately seven kilometres southwest of the Ghanzi town centre, and approximately 4km west of the Ghanzi District Hospital. The designs for the new airport (runway, terminal building, associated buildings and services), he said were done in December 2009.

However, he said the project had not progressed due to financial constraints because it was among those that were suspended during the recession period. In the meantime, Minister Mabeo said the ministry had not been able to secure funds for the project.

In 2009, he said the cost estimated cost for the project was P87 527 000.Ghanzi North MP, Mr Noah Salakae had asked the minister to state whether there were plans to relocate the Ghanzi Township Airstrip located at the centre of the township, saying the facility posed danger to residents. He also wanted to know when it would be relocated and whether it is budgeted for and at what cost. Ends