Bayelsa Airport Progresses: Sand Filling Completed, As NCAA Undertake Tour of Project

The Bayelsa State Government says sand filling work has been completed at the site of ongoing the state-owned International cargo Airport project at Amassoma.

The State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Barrister Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo made the disclosure Thursday while conducting a delegation of the National Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA on an inspection tour of the site of the International Cargo Airport, which is under construction.

The Commissioner explained that, civil and other construction related works will commence as soon the sand, which is still sedimenting, as a result of the peculiar terrain of the area, settles down.

He was however, quick to add that, construction of vertical drains, which will facilitate the sedimentation process will start soon.

“we are observing sedimentation because of our terrain, we need the sand to settle very well after which construction work will start.
“We have also started the vertical drains which will facilitate the sedimentation process of the sand.

Barrister Ehwrudjakpo reiterated the importance of the Airport project to the Government and people of the State and expressed his appreciation to the NCAA delegation for the visit, considering the peculiar nature of the airport project.

In his remarks, the leader of the National Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA delegation, Engineer Daniel Nkemakolam said, the visit was in fulfilment of its oversight responsibilities to among others, determine the orientation of the runway in terms of the sand filling and how solid it will become.

Describing the visit as a technical one, Engineer Daniel explained that, the team will also look at the structure as well the documents relating to the project, with a view to giving the needed expert advice.

He further disclosed that, the NCAA experts will study the documents to ensure that, they comply with international safety standards, adding that the visit will be a continuous exercise until the project is delivered.

Engineer Daniel assured that the NCAA will do a good job, as they have done in other places, stressing that, the NCAA parleys with service providers and operators to ensure that, safety standards are followed.

According to him the NCAA is affiliate of the Federal Aviation Authority of the USA, the World meteorological Organisation and gets assessment from them on regular basis.