Transport Deputy Minister, Dr Charles Tizeba

Airports in areas having poor road infrastructure will be rehabilitated and new ones built where they lack, as part of government initiative to provide the people an alternative mode of transport, the Parliament heard yesterday.

Transport Deputy Minister Dr Charles Tizeba told the House that funds were being sought for the purpose. He was responding to a question posed by Manyoni West Member of Parliament John Lwanji (CCM).

The MP had wanted to know government plans with regards to putting up a big airport at Itigi Township. “We are having poor infrastructure, there is a need for the government to construct an airport,” the MP said.

In his response, Dr Tizeba said the government recognised the importance of airports in facilitating various social and economic activities, including health.

In his supplementary question Lwanji, asked the government to give priority the construction of Itigi airport in an effort to serve marginalised residents.

He informed that due to high costs of construction involved, his Ministry would continue soliciting funds from different sources to improve all existing airports in remote towns and to build new ones where they’re lacking.

The Deputy Minister said the government, through the Tanzania Airports Authority (TAA), would accomplish the task when as soon as practical.