By Rédaction Africa Links 24 with The Observer
Published on 2024-01-24 04:19:33
The government of Uganda had a plan to improve its airfields by allowing private companies to manage them, but this plan has not worked out. The Civil Aviation Authority terminated a concession it had given to Ndege Juu Africa Limited to manage and upgrade the Masindi airfield because the company did not meet the set targets. The authority could not even reach the directors of the company at their registered address.
The Masindi airfield was the only one out of the 13 managed by the CAA that had been handed over to a private developer. The hope was that upgrading the airport would bring economic development to the region, as it is close to the Murchison Falls National Park and part of the Bunyoro oil region. However, the airfield still lags behind in terms of development, so the authority decided to reclaim control.
The failure of Ndege Juu Africa Limited to meet the basic standards has raised questions about the company’s credibility. When their listed phone numbers were called, the person who answered said it was the wrong number. Additionally, the company has a limited social media presence, making it difficult to trace.
The termination of the contract and the repossession of the airfield by the Civil Aviation Authority highlight the challenges faced in attempting to involve private companies in the management of public infrastructure. Despite high hopes for the economic and infrastructural developments that the partnership could bring, it is clear that proper oversight and accountability are essential in such arrangements.
Read the original article on The Observer
