President-elect Paul Kagame breaks ground to start construction of Bugesera International Airport (BIA)
President – elect Paul Kagame has laid a foundation stone to officially flag off construction of Bugesera International Airport (BIA).
“I am pleased to join you today to break ground for this important national project. We are as determined as you are to see this airport completed and operational,” the president -elect said shortly after laying a foundation stone.
In September 2016, Government of Rwanda signed deal with Portuguese firm Mota Engil Engenharia e Construcao Africa to deliver this airport facility.
For Kagame, the new airport facility is an essential component in boosting intra-African travel,investment and business; “I look forward to celebrating the inauguration of the new airport in the not too distant future,” he said.
Construction has been planned in phases. The first Phase will cost $418 million, scheduled for completion by December 2018. After this phase, extension works will be undertaken worth $ 400 million, bringing the total cost of the project to $818 million.
Rwanda government officials and representatives of partners in a group photo at the official ground breaking ceremony flagging off construction of the new Bugesera International Airport
By October last year, heavy machinery was at the site clearing and leveling the ground to pave way for construction that officially starts today.
Upon completion, Bugesera International airport will have capacity of handling 4.5 million passengers annually.
The airport is 30-minutes drive from the capital Kigali. It is located in Bugesera District, Eastern Province.
President elect Paul Kagame briefed on new Bugesera International Airport
Bugesera International Airport site plan artistic impression
Ground leveled at site for new Bugesera international airport 30-minutes drive from the capital Kigali
Heavy machinery have rolled into action at the site of the new Bugesera International Airport
