Thursday, August 07, 2014

Locals to protest if work on Pokhara International Airport halted

POKHARA, August 6: Locals in Pokhara have voiced grave concern over the recent cancellation of a contract that the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) had signed with a Chinese company three months ago for the construction of the Pokhara Regional International Airport (PRIA).

They warned the government of stringent protests if the construction of the regional international airport is not started at the earliest possible.

Back in May, CAAN had signed an agreement with China CAMC Engineering Co. Ltd. (CAMCE) for the construction of PRIA.

However, stating that the contract with the Chinese company was signed illegally, the Ministry of Finance (MoF) recently sought clarifications from CAAN over the issue.

Pokhara locals, who were overjoyed by the contract signing between CAAN and CAMCE, are in despair after MoF sought the clarifications.

According to Surya Bahadur Bhujel, chairman of Tourism Board Pokhara, the locals suspect that construction of the regional international airport might now be halted altogether.

The locals allege that MoF, in seeking clarifications from CAAN, is trying to halt the construction of the regional international airport in their city.

“We will agitate against the government if construction of the airport is halted even after the signing of the contract,” Bhujel said.

The contract between CAAN and CAMCE was signed on the Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) model, with the cost estimated at up to US$ 216 million. But according to MoF, the signing of the contract has violated the Public Procurement Act as it proposes a larger budget than the projected cost of US$ 145 million.

CAAN had earlier invited tenders for the airport construction under the BoQ (Bills of Quantities) model, with the estimated cost put at US$ 145 million.

The recent objection by MoF after the contract had already been signed has left the locals of Pokhara despondent, Tikaram Sapkota, an executive member of the Pokhara tourism board, said.

“The agreement for the construction of the international airport in Pokhara has already been signed, and it is time the Ministry of Finance moved to sign a loan agreement,” Sapkota said, “We are worried that MoF is not paving the way for obtaining the construction loan.”

“We´re demanding construction of the airport at any cost,” he added.

The Pokhara tourism board also feels that construction of the hub airport in Pokhara may be obstructed due to intrusion by the finance ministry. Officials of the board strongly urge the government to facilitate the construction.

MoF´s decision to halt the construction will leave a negative impression in the international community regarding foreign aid to this country, according to Krishna Mohan Shrestha, ex-chairperson of Pokhara Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Development activists and other stakeholders have been frustrated by MoF´s recent move.

They will be forced to agitate against the government if MoF´s decision halts the project, Shrestha added.

- Source:  http://www.myrepublica.com

Runway of the proposed regional international airport in Pokhara.
 (Republica File photo)

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