Entebbe Airport expansion works are ongoing
The China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) which is carrying out works for the expansion of Entebbe International Airport, has sought two years extension to complete the contract which was expected to be completed by the end of 2022.
The revelation was made by Li Quinpu, Project Manager during a field tour at the airport, citing Covid-19 restrictions which delayed importation of materials for the project, thus the need for an expansion of two years up to 2024. He also blamed the delay to delayed payment by Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA).
“Later on we shall submit the extension of term to the employer but with the delay of the project, we also submitted a cost claim but the employer never replied to us or agreed. The cause of the delay is what everyone know, Covid-19 pandemic which saw the airport closed that affected transportation of the materials for the project,” said Quinpu.
According to the contractor, works stand at 76% as work on the new passenger terminal is yet to commence, although the cargo center works have been fully completed and to be handed over to the client.
It is estimated that cargo transport through Entebbe airport will grow at a rate of 6.5% per year and continue to do so for the next 17 years with the new facility in place.
The Contractor also defended the ongoing probe by Parliament’s Committee of Commissions Statutory Authorities and State
Enterprises (COSASE) over controversial variation of the contract which cost the government of Uganda extra US$3.4 million.
Quinpu explained that the new cargo center has cost US$20m approximately Shs70.320Bn but the project cost will shoot further up to a tune of US$3.4m equivalent to 11.252Bn to cater for the design variations after UCAA asked them to have more facilities included in the upgrade works.
“When we received letter from the employer, we did the variation and now we have new additional works like two freezer rooms, seven offices and a temporary commercial building and the power station,” he said.
It should be recalled that Government acquired a concessional loan from EXIM Bank to the tune of US$200 million to expand, upgrade and modernize Entebbe International Airport and the works are supposed to be carried out in two phases with the current first phase expected to be completed in 2022.
While appearing before COSASE this week, Katumba Wamala, Minister of Works and Transport defended the need to expand Entebbe International Airport, saying the European Union which is a big market for Uganda’s agricultural produce had raised concern about the standard of the airport, prompting some exporters to export their merchandise through Kenya airport.
“Right now, most of our fresh foods are exported through Nairobi. Our products are taken across the border, repackaged and branded as Made in Kenya because Entebbe International Airport wasn’t meeting international Standards,“ said Katumba.
