FIRE TORCHING PAUSES WORK AT HOIMA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
By our reporter                                                                    www.mknewslink.com                                                                       In Hoima
Fire lit on the Oil Refinery Land by the cattle community is becoming a threat to Hoima International Airport Construction in Kabaale Sub-County Hoima District.
The Airport is one of the key support infrastructures for the next course of the fast paced activities leading to commercial oil production.
The US$ 309 million Airport project provided by Standard Chartered Bank and UK Export Finance is being undertaken by a joint venture of Israeli-British firms, Shikun & Binui International-SBI/Colas limited.
The airport construction work which is at 40% commenced in April 2018 and is expected to end in February 2023.
However, the project is endangered by the people who have on several occasions set fire on the 29 square km piece of Land earmarked for the Oil Refinery.
During a social corporate responsibility held at Nyamasoga Primary School Kabaale Sub-County Amos Muriisa the Public Relations Officer SBC revealed that they have encountered fire set by the community four times within a period of one month which is costing them money and time.
Maj. Nasuru Namara the deputy head of Battalion 1103 that is charged with guarding the Oil Refinery Land says that, this problem has been perpetuated by cattle keepers. He notes that the last incident occurred last week and they had to engage the police fire brigade to put off the fire.
Clovis Ninsiima the Officer in charge Counter terrorism Police at the Airport says whenever fires break out, work stops and cautions community members against trespassing on the Refinery Land.
Martin Okoyo the Hoima District Police Commander stressed there is a need to sensitize the community about the dangers of fire.
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