By Adonis Byemelwa
Arusha
Regional Commissioner Paul Makonda has unveiled plans to transform Arusha
Airport with a new passenger terminal designed to alleviate congestion and
elevate passenger comfort.
During
his recent inspection of the renovation, which he emphasized must be completed
swiftly, Makonda stressed the project's importance, aiming to have the terminal
operational by 1st September.
His
announcement on August 16, 2024, highlights a commitment to enhancing the
airport’s capacity and efficiency, signaling a significant upgrade to meet the
growing demands of travelers.
“By
visiting the site, we’ve seen firsthand the progress. We aim to have the
airport operational 24 hours a day. With the Sh7 billion allocated for
installing runway lighting, we are confident this project will support
round-the-clock operations,” Makonda stated.
He
confirmed that a contractor for the lighting project has been appointed, with a
12-month contract signed. However, Makonda has pushed for the project to be
completed within 8 months. “We are working to ensure that the new lighting and
other improvements are finished as soon as possible to meet our operational
goals,” he added.
Arusha
Airport Manager Godfrey Kaaya detailed that the terminal and its infrastructure
are set to cost Sh8 billion and are currently 90% complete. The existing
terminal, which handles 150 passengers at a time, will be replaced by a new
facility capable of accommodating 1,000 passengers.
“The
new terminal is on track to open by September as it’s already over 90%
complete,” Kaaya said. He also emphasized the importance of the lighting
project, which is crucial for extending operating hours to 24.
“The
lighting project is vital for our goal of operating around the clock. The
contractor has started preliminary work, and we expect the project to be
completed within a year.”
At
present, Arusha Airport operates for only 12 hours each day but is the second
busiest airport in mainland Tanzania after Julius Nyerere International
Airport. With around 150 flights per day—75 arriving and 75 departing,
especially during the tourist season—the need for an expanded terminal is
evident.
Kaaya
highlighted the significant increase in passenger traffic, noting that the
airport served over 38,000 passengers in July 2019 before the COVID-19
pandemic. In comparison, July 2024 saw over 45,000 passengers.
“More
than 90% of these passengers are tourists, underscoring the airport’s critical
role in the tourism sector,” he remarked.
The
upgrades to the airport are essential as Arusha serves as a major gateway to
northern Tanzania. Recent improvements, such as a revamped parking area and
upgraded access roads, reflect the ongoing progress, with only the new terminal
and lighting installation left to complete.
However,
Makonda’s recent absence from public view has stirred controversy. For over a
month, speculation surrounded his whereabouts, with rumors suggesting he was
receiving treatment in South Africa. Upon his return to Arusha, Makonda avoided
addressing the reasons for his extended absence, fueling further speculation
and public concern.
Arusha
Regional Administrative Secretary Missaile Albano Musa clarified the situation
on July 26, 2024, stating that Makonda was on leave.
“I can confirm that Commissioner Makonda is
currently on leave. My role is to confirm his status, not to track the details
of his activities during his leave,” Musa explained in a phone interview with
Global TV Online.
Despite
this clarification, public scrutiny intensified, with rumors ranging from
concerns about his health to speculation about his death. Makonda’s
controversial past, including a U.S. travel ban due to human rights violations
and high-profile statements on corruption, has only heightened the speculation.
The
situation has sparked a broader conversation about transparency and
communication among public officials. Makonda’s unexplained absence echoes a
troubling pattern seen in Tanzanian politics, including the recent case of Vice
President Philip Mpango, whose unexplained absence was later revealed to be a
routine visit to South Korea.
These
instances highlight a recurring issue: the failure of public officials to
provide timely and accurate information, which leads to unnecessary confusion
and speculation. This problem is further compounded by the role of Tanzania's
Minister of Information, a position often associated with news suppression and
creating information vacuums rather than facilitating open communication.
In
essence, while the new terminal at Arusha Airport promises to significantly
improve passenger experience and operational efficiency, the controversy
surrounding Makonda’s absence underlined a pressing need for greater
transparency and effective communication in Tanzanian public administration.