Keetmanshoop prioritises airport expansion
Keetmanshoop mayor McDonald Hanse has emphasised the need to accelerate and prioritise the expansion of the Keetmanshoop airport to boost economic development at the town.
Situated five kilometres outside the town, the airport services mostly charter flights carrying hunters and tourists. It also has the capacity to cater for wide-bodied aircraft, subject to prior approval by the Namibia Airports Company (NAC).
In a recent interview with Namibia Media Holdings, Hanse highlighted the importance of accelerating development efforts to unlock the region's economic potential.
"The expansion of the Keetmanshoop airport is very slow and there are mixed comments regarding that because what happened was that the Finnish were quite active and excited, and all of a sudden we are hearing that the Keetmanshoop airport is no longer a priority to them," Hanse said, expressing concerns over the perceived shift in priorities by previous stakeholders.
However, in a positive development, the mayor explained: "But I was lucky to engage with the Indonesian ambassador and he said that we need to talk about the Keetmanshoop airport because he informed me that he has been trying to engage the Keetmanshoop municipality, government and the ministry of works so that we can collaborate for the development of the airport.”
He said engagement with the Indonesian ambassador are ongoing.
Attract visitors, investors
Hanse highlighted the significance of improved air connectivity, noting the inconvenience faced by tourists who endure a lengthy drive from Windhoek.
"Currently, and in most cases, tourists are compelled to drive five hours from Windhoek after a long flight, which is not conducive. Instead of them just flying over to Keetmanshoop," Hanse pointed out.
Hanse underscored the pivotal role of the airport in stimulating economic activity. "Airports play a role for investors to come to a town because the long drive between towns often discourages investors from making their way down south," he said.
‘Smart city’
Hanse's vision for Keetmanshoop extends beyond the airport expansion.
He envisions elevating the town to the status of a Part 1 municipality, akin to Swakopmund and Walvis Bay, and transitioning into a 'smart city' equipped with cutting-edge technology to improve services and infrastructure.
He said a recent memorandum of understanding signed with partners MTC will help the town actualise the 'smart city' goal.
The MTC partnership aims to transform how the municipality conducts business by integrating digital solutions.
Situated five kilometres outside the town, the airport services mostly charter flights carrying hunters and tourists. It also has the capacity to cater for wide-bodied aircraft, subject to prior approval by the Namibia Airports Company (NAC).
In a recent interview with Namibia Media Holdings, Hanse highlighted the importance of accelerating development efforts to unlock the region's economic potential.
"The expansion of the Keetmanshoop airport is very slow and there are mixed comments regarding that because what happened was that the Finnish were quite active and excited, and all of a sudden we are hearing that the Keetmanshoop airport is no longer a priority to them," Hanse said, expressing concerns over the perceived shift in priorities by previous stakeholders.
However, in a positive development, the mayor explained: "But I was lucky to engage with the Indonesian ambassador and he said that we need to talk about the Keetmanshoop airport because he informed me that he has been trying to engage the Keetmanshoop municipality, government and the ministry of works so that we can collaborate for the development of the airport.”
He said engagement with the Indonesian ambassador are ongoing.
Attract visitors, investors
Hanse highlighted the significance of improved air connectivity, noting the inconvenience faced by tourists who endure a lengthy drive from Windhoek.
"Currently, and in most cases, tourists are compelled to drive five hours from Windhoek after a long flight, which is not conducive. Instead of them just flying over to Keetmanshoop," Hanse pointed out.
Hanse underscored the pivotal role of the airport in stimulating economic activity. "Airports play a role for investors to come to a town because the long drive between towns often discourages investors from making their way down south," he said.
‘Smart city’
Hanse's vision for Keetmanshoop extends beyond the airport expansion.
He envisions elevating the town to the status of a Part 1 municipality, akin to Swakopmund and Walvis Bay, and transitioning into a 'smart city' equipped with cutting-edge technology to improve services and infrastructure.
He said a recent memorandum of understanding signed with partners MTC will help the town actualise the 'smart city' goal.
The MTC partnership aims to transform how the municipality conducts business by integrating digital solutions.
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article