By Neo Kolane
The Moshoeshoe I International Airport is in such dilapidated and derelict state that a whopping M500 million is required for its rejuvenation, it has emerged.
This after it was discovered that the infrastructure at the airport is continuously slipping into a state of disuse.
The condition of this uncared-for and neglected facility, according to the country’s civil aviation director Motsoale Lesupi, is so dire that M500 million is needed to revamp the airport.
He is now vociferously calling for the civil aviation department to be turned into an independent entity that runs its own affairs. For him that would remedy the visibly poor conditions at the facility.
A distraught Lesupi has attributed the lamentable conditions of the airport to its being fully under the government’s ministry of transport.
The mission of the department of civil aviation is to provide for the control, regulation and development of aviation in Lesotho in line with international agreements and standards.
Lesupi described aviation as ‘highly costly’, and requiring a properly consolidated administration and maintenance.
He pointed out: “Civil aviation cannot be run efficiently when it is dependent on the government.”
For instance, he suggested it would cost about M1, 4 million to train one of their highest-ranking officers – a flight operations inspector, therefore any serious refurbishment would cost far higher.
Although a process paving way for the civil aviation department to be independent has taken off, Lesupi is worried that it is being steered in a snail’s pace due to a lack of solid political will.
He revealed that things are at a stage where stakeholders are engaged in a desperate bid to develop a civil aviation authority policy.
It is expected that the policy will be unveiled by the public works and transport minister who is to table it before the executive cabinet for blessing.
However, he noted that plans to allow the aviation department to run its own affairs without dependence on the state, have actually been on the table but have been stalling for several years.
He specifically singled out the equipment which is obsolete and in a state of disrepair, stressing that the only way the situation can be address is for government to step in.
Among the issues requiring immediate and concerted attention are constant power cuts and lack of water supply; shortage of human resource is also nagging the administration.
He disclosed that the Lesotho Electricity Company (LEC) supplies the airport with power, but explained that regular power failures were prompted by the two ailing transformers installed at the airport.
“We had an on-and-off relationship with LEC as the equipment that uses electricity, specifically the transformers, had reached their peak of about 30 years in operation and they needed to be upgraded as recommended by electrical engineers.
“With the unavailability of water, the management and staff of the airport have resorted to other means when it comes to the restrooms, and it is not a good sight as buckets filled with waste are seen strewn all over the place.
“We have made a plan to install a water storage facility which will stand us in good stead in there is a temporary power cut or disruption to water supply,” he explained.
Although the diesel that operates the generator that assists with power was bought by the ministry of public works and transport, Lesupi said different stakeholders who he could not disclose, assist in buying the diesel for the generator with a capacity of 1 600 litres. That, he added, allows the machine to function for only six hours.
He added that the South African airline, SA Airlink, is one of the stakeholders that purchase fuel on weekends to keep the airport running for six hours a day.
The generator uses about 2 240 litres of diesel every month which costs M47 400, therefore LEC power has to be reconnected as soon as possible,” Lesupi said.
With the government having proposed a provision of M51.7 million for the rehabilitation of the Moshoeshoe I International Airport whilst long-term plans are allowed to take shape, Lesupi said over a billion should be have been proposed instead.
Lesupi said that budgetary allocation is meant to deal with immediate expenses and other equipment such as tarmac lighting systems.
“As things stand, the government is following tendering procedures in the hope that by April the budget will be allocated and works will commence,” he said.
The giant solar panels erected at the airport are yet to be tested for operation. They were erected under the ministry of natural resources.
Also, it is planned that the guardhouse will be part of the infrastructure that will be renovated for habitable use.
A source linked to the airport operations but who commented on condition of anonymity said the airport owes LEC huge sums of money, hence the constant power cuts.
The source said electricity is switched on only when there are incoming and outgoing flights.
