Parliament’s National Economy Committee has rejected Shs150bn budget request by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to respond to COVID-19 effects.
CAA officials led by the Deputy Director, Fred Bamwesigye appeared before the Committee chaired by Syda Bbumba but MPs rejected the request.
The CAA team tabled a budget of Shs150bn to revamp air transport after being hit by COVID-19.
Shs72bn is to cover wage bill and operations, Shs33bn for security equipment, Shs7.5bn for port health infrastructure system, Shs19bn for modification of the terminal building to meet social distance requirement, Shs15bn for completion and furnishing of the concession block and Shs3bn for improvement of regional Airport passenger facilitation.
Some MPs on the Committee said that part of the amount tabled by CAA is not in relation to COVID-19 pandemic effects.
Lira Municipality MP, Jimmy Akena said that this an attempt to capitalize on the COVID -19 for other items yet the committee is focusing on handling issues that will see the CAA open the airport operation.
Budiope East lawmaker, Geoffrey Dhamuzungu said that the CAA needs only Shs30bn out of the requested Shs150bn to work on the re-opening of the airport operation.
Fred Bamwesigye, the CAA the Deputy Director said that the Air transport services will return to near normal operations after discovery of the COVID-19 vaccine.
