The Malawi government has said that it will require about 2.1 billion kwacha (about 15 million U.S. dollars) to rehabilitate the Kamuzu International Airport (Kia), starting with the runway which has developed some potholes, the website of The Nation newspaper reported Tuesday.

The Transport, Public Works and Housing Minister Henry Mussa told The Nation of Malawi that a consultant was hired to advise on the project and that procurement of rehabilitation materials is underway.

According to Mussa, estimates show that the total cost for the rehabilitation is about 2.1 billion kwacha and that international lenders such as the Arab Bank, the Kuwait Bank and Badea have expressed interest to finance the rehabilitation.

He said the lending institutions have already pledged to release 7 million dollars for a start and that work should begin by September this year.

"We will start with the runway. It has outlived its usefulness. It needs a complete overhaul as there are several cracks," said Mussa.

The minister said that financing institutions hire the contractor and that a South African consultant was hired to do the short listing from those with experience in runways.

Source: Xinhua