THE Namibia Airports Company yesterday inaugurated 11 new fire trucks at the Hosea Kutako International Airport.
The trucks were bought to meet ICAO requirements and as part of the company’s strategic plans for 2014 to 2017.
Addressing a press conference during the inauguration, NAC board chairperson, Ndeuhala Katonyala, said the trucks were bought from a South African company, Marcé Fire Fighting Technology for N$89 million.
“Key lessons learned during the downgrade of our airport in 2014 have improved our capacity to meet all compliance needs of our industry,”said Katonyala.
Two of the trucks were bought last year in August from Marcé Fire Fighting Technology, while the last batch of nine trucks were delivered in November last year.
Katonyala said six are Marcé Rhino 6×6 trucks and five are Marcé Rhino 5×5 and will be distributed to all airports for safety.
Hosea Kutako that already has two trucks got two new trucks, exceeding ICAO’s requirement of three trucks for the airport.
The Walvis Bay airport, soon to be the second international airport after Hosea Kutako, got three while one went to Eros and the rest to Rundu, Ondangwa, Katima Mulilo, Lüderitz and Keetmanshoop.
“The Walvis Bay airport will be developed into a fully fledged international airport with a special focus on cargo transportation. It will be equipped with all necessary infrastructure to facilitate air transportation of sea-based products,” said Katonyala.
The company’s acting chief executive officer, Tamer El Kallawi, said the downgrade was a bad and harmful experience for the country but that the NAC has a plan to reposition the company into a world-class service provider.
He said the company also intends to generate 10% revenue per annum through infrastructure and security levies from next month.
“These charges will be negotiated with all stakeholders as part of the aeronautical charges which are conducted biannually,” he said.
Minister Erkki Nghimtina, in a speech delivered on his behalf by his deputy, Kilus Nguvauva, said he was delighted the company was committed to a crucial role towards achieving the Fourth National Development Plan goals and ultimately Vision 2030.
The company has major projects in progress at Ondangwa and Walvis Bay where new terminal buildings are being constructed at costs of N$84 million N$95 million respectively.
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