New $800m Paramakatoi airstrip commissioned

The newly constructed Paramakatoi airstrip was officially commissioned yesterday, delivering a critical upgrade to air access for the Region Eight village and surrounding communities.

The airstrip, which measures approximately 2,500 feet in length and 50 feet in width, features a concrete surface designed to accommodate regular fixed-wing aircraft operations. Public Works Minister Juan Edghill said the facility was built to modern safety standards and will significantly improve reliability, especially during adverse weather conditions. He noted that the upgraded strip allows for safer landings, faster medical evacuations and more dependable movement of supplies and personnel.

Edghill disclosed that the project was awarded at a cost of close to $800 million and was completed with strong community involvement. More than 50 residents of Paramakatoi were employed during construction, a policy direction aimed at ensuring villages benefit directly from major infrastructure works. He also pointed out that an additional two kilometres of concrete road were completed in the village through the ministry’s Special Projects Unit, further strengthening internal access and linking the airstrip to residential areas.