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Home / Walvis Bay Airport terminal a massive boost for country – Geingob
Walvis Bay Airport terminal a massive boost for country – Geingob
2016-07-25Staff Report 2 Walvis Bay President Hage Geingob has hailed the newly constructed terminal building at Walvis Bay Airport as a massive boost for the country and Erongo Region, as it puts the facility on course to become Namibia’s second international airport. Geingob said the terminal that cost N$100 million was designed to accommodate 200 passengers per hour and one million passengers a year. The terminal is also expected to improve the cargo-handling capacity of the airport and be beneficial for industries at the coast such as mining and fishing. Geingob, who said he was highly impressed with the new terminal building when he officially inaugurated it on Friday, said that Namibia has airports that meet international requirements. “We as a country can now boast a [new] facility which meets international benchmarks of functional efficiency and operational safety for airports. This highlights the indisputable fact that Namibia is a nation on the march towards prosperity. A nation that is able to build world-class infrastructure is a nation on the march,” Geingob said. According to the president, Namibia’s national development plans are all clear on the implementation of infrastructure development to stimulate growth and prosperity for the country and its people. Geingob highlighted the importance of reliable infrastructure development as one of the key elements that boost a country’s economy. “This new facility is a shot in the arm … as it will boost efficiency and speed up the movement of passengers and cargo. As Namibians, we have always prided ourselves on the quality of our infrastructure. This is corroborated by global rating agencies, which have positively rated Namibia’s infrastructural development,” Geingob expanded. The president then highlighted the need for continuous growth for the country to retain and improve its positive developmental ratings. “Continuous growth is the answer if Namibia wants to improve the livelihoods of its people. If we want to steer our country to prosperity … As government we cannot allow our growth to stagnate. This is why infrastructure development remains an important part of our developmental policy. Therefore every cent of public funds must be well spent,” the president said. Also speaking at the occasion, the Namibia Airports Company board chairperson, Ndeuhala Lewis, said the building is a national treasure and asset that will stand as a true testimony to the Namibian spirit of harambee. Lewis added that the terminal provides increased commercial opportunities that are on par with international world-class airports that have attracted international brands and car rental services. She explained that Walvis Bay Airport now has a N$202-million new runway and a N$10-million fire station and can accommodate multiple wide-bodied aircraft such as the Airbus 380. 2016-07-25Staff Report 2
