Isabel government has sealed a deal with a logging company currently operating on the island to help upgrade the Suavanao airstrip.
Provincial premier James Habu revealed this last week during a visit by the Solomon Islands visitors bureau (SIVB) delegation.
Mr Habu said his provincial government had a verbal agreement with a logging company operating in the province to help upgrade and extend Suavanao runway.
“We have a formal discussion with the logging company that operates in Kia to extend Suavanao airport by 150 meter long and to also do reclamation work on the runway with their own machineries.”
He said the delay in moving the project forward is due to lack of engineers from the ministry of infrastructure development and the aviation authority to visit the airstrip and conduct a proper inspection and measurement of the airstrip.
He said the idea of extending the airstrip is for the safety of the aircraft and also to allow the Dash 8 plane to land on Suavanao.
“We have notice that many people especially tourists have arrived on Suavanao airstrip so the provincial government wants to improve the airstrip.”
The premier highlighted that the mother ministry and the provincial government are convinced with the increase arrival on Suavanao therefore its important to upgrade the airstrip.
Amongst the delegation, an aviation officer was also present.
Mr Habu thanked the delegation for their visit to the province.
The province said it would continue to support tourism development in the province.
By DENVER NEWTER
