90pc work on Ghazni airport completed

GHAZNI CITY (PAN): Ninety percent of construction work on the Ghazni airport has been completed and the project would be fully executed within a month, officials said on Monday.

Shafiq Nang, the governor’s spokesperson, told Pajhwok Afghan News the airport boundary wall and runway were about to be completed and work on its terminal would begin soon.

If payments were not delayed by the Ministry of Finance, the airport would be ready for flights, Nang promised, saying they were trying to complete the project to facilitate foreign guests.

Many foreign dignitaries are expected to attend a ceremony later in the year for Ghazni City becoming the capital of the Islamic Civilisation. The city was given the status by the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (IESCO).

Zaki Qalandari, an engineer with the construction company working on the airport project, said the construction work would have been completed several months back if there had been no delay in payments.    

Matiullah Mati, a resident of Ghazni City, said as part of 2013 infrastructural projects, the airport should have been completed a year ago.  

The road to the airport was not paved and its security should be ensured, he said, recalling that Ghazni officials recently came under ambush on their way to the site.

Noorullah, a local trader, said, the airport would facilitate air travels for them and high-ranking officials. Located 15km east of Ghazni City, the airport’s construction began two years back.  

ra/mud