Kiribati Aiport
p. 24 · Read in the full issue
Hit By Vandals
SECURITY measures at Kiribati’s Bon riki International airport have been threatened by acts of vandalism, accord ing to Secretary of Communications Mr John Ikakeau. “A large portion of the wire fence surrounding the runway is missing,”
Mr Ikakeau said, “and a windsock has been cut to pieces. The gaps in the fence would allow straying dogs and pigs to cross the runway at any time.”
Blaming local people for the damage, the Secretary said removal of the wire net ting “maybe for pig pens or gardens” posed a danger to passengers and aircraft.
“The cost of a fatal accident runs into mil lions of dollars,” he warned, adding that a breakdown in security and safety could re sult in a cut in services from overseas air lines landing at Bonnki.
Air Nauru, one of the two airlines serv icing Kiribati (Air Marshall is the other), alerted the Government when a stray dog crossed the runway as one of its Boeing aircraft was about to land. Fencing the air port costs the Government of Kiribati as much as $A30,000 dollars, Mr Ikakeau said, and despite quick action from civil aviation authorities, the threat persists due to police and security personnel shortages at the airport. n
Batiri T Batua