Group builds aerodrome in Afungi

Portuguese group Gabriel Couto has been hired by US-based Anadarko Petroleum to build an aerodrome in Afungi, northern Mozambique, the director of the construction group said.

Tiago Couto told Portuguese newspaper O Minho that the future aerodrome will be built close to the city of Palma, in Cabo Delgado province, and will support the development of the natural gas exploration projects of the Area 1 and Area 4 blocks, the latter to be operated by Italian group ENI.

The contract covers the design and construction of a 2,300 metre runway plus a terminal for 150 passengers and other buildings to support the runway.The total term of the project is 21 months, comprising two different phases. The first phase will include the construction of a 1,600-metre-long runway, designed to operate an Embraer ERJ-145 aircraft, a parking area for four aircraft and a helicopter, as well as construction of a passenger terminal, access roads and parking.The second phase will include the extension of the runway to 2,300 metres, including the provision of navigation equipment, access ladders for aircraft, support trailers and luggage transport equipment.The director of the Gabriel Couto group did not disclose the value of the contract signed with US group Anadarko Petroleum.