Land Clearing Delays Lengthening Of Manokwari Airport Runway

Manokwari, W Papua (Antara Bali)- The plan to lengthen the runway of the Manokwari airport is pending the completion of the process of land clearing by the district administration with traditional landowners.

Head of the Rendani airport of Manokwari Wahyu Hendrawan said the central government could not yet provide fund for the project until process of land clearing is wrapped up.

Transport Minister Ignasius Jonan during his recent visit to Manokwari approved the plan to lengthen the runway of the airport by 500 meters.

"The minister agreed with the plan to add 500 meters to the length of the runway to allow wide bodied aircraft such as Boeing 800 to land on the airport," Wahyu said.

The budget for the project is provided jointly by the Transport Ministry  and district administration, he said.

"If the Manokwari district administration has finished paying for the land needed  by the project the fund would be disbursed and work could start immediately," he said.

He said the district administration needs to pay Rp5 billion for the land owned by the local people.

"We are seeking coordination with still the Manokwari district administration to clear the land that the 2,000 meter runway of the airport could be lengthened  by 500 meters this year," he said. (WDY)