Burkina Faso: What is known about the visit of His Excellency Dr. Apollinaire Joachimson Kyélèm de Tambèla to Bobo-Dioulasso International Airport
The Prime Minister, Dr. Apollinaire Joachimson Kyélèm de Tambèla, visited on Sunday, June 18, 2023, Bobo-Dioulasso International Airport. The plan behind this field visit is to familiarize himself with the ongoing airport rehabilitation works. The Head of Government has ambitious plans to make this airport a benchmark in the sub-region and even in the world, with an ambitious investment of at least 100 billion CFA francs.
After launching the presidential initiative «Reference-Opportunities-Integration» in the 302 rural communes, Prime Minister Dr. Apollinaire Joachimson Kyélèm de Tambèla took advantage of his stay in the city of Sya to visit the facilities of Bobo-Dioulasso International Airport.
He visited the runway, the VIP lounge, the passenger terminal, and the new security equipment installation to assess the progress of the various facilities that enable the airport to operate 24/7.
Following this field visit, the Head of Government expressed his satisfaction with the rehabilitation works at Bobo-Dioulasso International Airport, which now meets safety standards.
Therefore, he thanked the Minister of Transport, Roland Somda, and all his colleagues, as well as everyone who contributed to the renovation of the airport.
« I realized that we had a dormant treasure. Bobo-Dioulasso Airport is an untapped asset. The runway is wide and long. This renovated airport is very pleasant», he affirmed.
Following the example of the Transition President, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, during his meeting with the stakeholders of the Hauts-Bassins region on January 20, 2023, the Prime Minister made a commitment to make this airport a lever for the development of the Hauts-Bassins region, the country, and the sub-region.
« We must work to make this airport indispensable in the sub-region so that Bobo-Dioulasso can shine. I urge the Ministry of Transport to develop an ambitious plan of at least 100 billion CFA francs for this airport. It is not impossible with the partners we have. For example, we can submit this project to our Venezuelan partner during our next joint cooperation commission. We can involve many partners in this project, such as the Chinese. We just need to show them the prospects. We can do it through public-private partnerships», he explained.
According to him, the country has the means to promote the city of Bobo-Dioulasso, especially since several major projects are underway in the city.
He mentioned the construction of the reference hospital and the Bobo-Dioulasso-Sikasso railway project, which is dear to the Government.
« For the construction project of the Bobo-Dioulasso-Sikasso railway, we are in negotiations, and we hope to secure the necessary funding. All of this will attract people to Bobo-Dioulasso. There are existing potentials,” he revealed.
Furthermore, he called on the natives of Bobo-Dioulasso to play their role in promoting their own city, stating, « There is no point in constantly saying that Bobo-Dioulasso is abandoned when you yourselves do nothing for this city. You go and invest elsewhere. I call on the natives of Bobo-Dioulasso to focus on their city so that together, we can make Bobo-Dioulasso a reference city in West Africa, and why not in the world».
H.Nelchael
