Airport opening deferred

By PETER ESILA
TRANSPORT and Civil Aviation Minister Walter Schnaubelt has directed the National Airports Corporation (NAC) to defer the opening of the new Kavieng Airport and terminal indefinitely.
The airport had been scheduled for opening on Oct 20 as proposed by the NAC date.
However, Schnaubelt stated, in a letter, that as the minister responsible, he had not been consulted in regard to the opening of the airport.
Schnaubelt, who was invited to the opening, responded to the NAC managing director and chief executive officer Rex Kiponge this week.
He said that as portfolio minister and a member of the New Ireland executive council, he was concerned that his office had not been consulted on the importance of the airport infrastructure and the strategic approach to realise the government’s domestic and international Connect PNG potential.
“You are hereby directed to stop and defer all preparations for the new Kavieng Airport and related infrastructures planned for Oct 20 until further notice.”
Kiponge said since the formation of the new Government and Cabinet, the minister and NAC had not met for consultations on the opening of the Kavieng airport.
“Up to this date, there has been no consultation because he (Schnaubelt) is avoiding the NAC board and the management,” he said.
“How does he (Schnaubelt) expect me to consult him when he is away from NAC?
“He is the sector portfolio minister.
“He should be working with the NAC board and management.”