Over 900 Workers Affected as Hoima Airport Works are Suspended over COVID-19

Over 900 workers affected as Hoima airport works are suspended over COVID-19

SBC Uganda Limited, the company constructing Hoima International Airport, has suspended operations over COVID-19. 

The company’s public relations officer, Mr Amos Muriisa, said they had no alternative but to stop the 309m dollar project whose progress is at 40 percent.

He said as a result, about 900 workers have been sent home while only 30 have been left on site.

Mr Muriisa made the remarks on Tuesday while handing over a consignment of medical supplies worth Shs 48 million to Hoima District Covid-19 taskforce.

The medical supplies include 5000 pieces of surgical gloves, 250 bottles of hand washing sanitisers, 100 boxes of Latex examination gloves, 1500 bottles of JIK, 500 liters of diesel, 5 infrared thermometers, face masks and 200 pieces of aprons among others.

They were handed over to Hoima district COVID-19 task force in the office of Hoima Resident District Commissioner-RDC.

The international airport is part of the infrastructure under construction as Uganda prepares to develop its nascent petroleum industry.

When completed, it would be Uganda’s second international airport, besides Entebbe International Airport.

The new airport is expected to facilitate mobilization of equipment for construction of the Uganda Oil Refinery and assist in the development of agriculture and tourism in Uganda’s Western Region.

Muriisa said they have responded to the country’s call to help combat the further spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mihail Gorachinov, the Senior Project Manager SBC Company, said they thought it was wise to come up with an initiative that can help the district in fighting the pandemic as soon as possible during this period of national and international crisis.

Receiving the consignment, Hoima Resident District Commissioner, Samuel Kisembo, who also doubles as the COVID-19 task force chairperson applauded SBC for the support saying it has boosted their efforts towards the fight against COVID-19.