TWO firms have been awarded the contract to install non-directional beacons in five airports around the country.
Permanent Secretary (PS) of the Ministry of Communication and Aviation clarified this after the ministry was criticisefor what was described as unfair awarding of contracts.
Francis Lomo on Thursday said the beacons are navigational equipment used widely in the aviation industry to guide aircrafts and to facilitate landings.
Installation of these beacons have been carried out in Munda, Kirakira, Lata, Rennell and Auki.
“Two contractors have been awarded the contracts. Pacific Vaizeds had been awarded the contract to do the installation for Munda, Kirakira, Rennell and Auki, whilst CommsSolsky Communication was awarded the contract to install the beacon at Lata,” Mr Lomo said.
Mr Lomoall also confirmed that installations awarded to Pacific Vaizeds have been successfully completed whilst Auki was discontinued due to the current land dispute at the Gwaunaru airport.
“Only the Lata beacon installation was found to be poorly done and still require standard checks and repositioning of certain equipment.”
Mr Lomo said the completed beacon at Munda, Kirakira and Rennell have undergone flight transmission tests and have been confirmed that these are now operational and a final flight calibration will be done by Airways New Zealand next month.
“On an important note, the awards of the contracts are done according to the normal Government processes and done in very transparent manner,” Mr Lomo concluded.
By DENVER NEWTER