Airport Project In Mbay Cancelled

Kupang, E Nusa Tenggara, Jan 21 (ANTARA) - A plan to build an airport, Surabaya II, in Mbay, the municipal city of the regency of Nagekeo, East Nusa Tenggara, has been cancelled. Head of the East Nusa Tenggara transport office Bruno Kupok said implementation of the first phase of the project hit a snag over the site which is owned by the military. Construction of the project was to start in 2012, Bruno told ANTARA news agency on Monday. He said the East Nusa Tenggara administration had sought coordination with related agencies including the regional military command that the construction could start in 2012. However, the attempt has failed to win full support, he said. As a result the fund of Rp43 billion from the 2012 state budget originally set aside for the airport project had been used for other communication projects in the region. "Our efforts to seek support for the project has prompted the chief of the Udayana military command to visit the location in August and December 2012," Bruno said. However, there was no green light from the visit that the implementation of the project has to be cancelled at least for the time being, he added. The central government, however, has indicated that fund for the project is still available from the state budget on condition, land is available with official certificate, he said. The Rp43 billion fund has been used for the expansion of the Gewayan Tanah in the regency of East Flores.