Beni - 27 January 2016, MONUSCO launched rehabilitation and asphalting work on the Beni airport runway “Mavivi” in a ceremony attended by the mayor of Beni, Nyonyi Bwanakawa. The rehabilitation work on the Beni airport will facilitate the ongoing military operations in Beni. This airport is gradually being used for the tactical operations of MONUSCO Intervention Brigade, with the 3000 peacekeepers deployed.

This explains the need for having a more appropriate airport for medical evacuation and transport of logistics.

The total cost of the MONUSCO-funded rehabilitation work is $ 711,306. The work mainly consists in the asphalting of a 2100m long and 20 m wide runway; it will be executed by Indonesian peacekeepers and will last 198 days. It is worth recalling that Mavivi runway was built by MONUSCO in 2006/2007 with laterite material. Such floor covering helps aircrafts to take off and land safely, which restricts movements.

Security situation has deteriorated in Beni since October 2014; there was therefore need for rehabilitating the runway to receive all types of aircrafts and facilitate military operations. This goal will be attained with the asphalting work on the Mavivi runway. Besides enhancing security in Beni, the asphalted runway will have a real economic impact: 80 jobs will be created and hopefully the number of commercial flights will increase. This will lead to increased trade between Beni and the surrounding towns and regions as well as with neighboring countries like Uganda.

Nadia ZIBILILA