PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema is today expected to officially commission the refurbished Kasama Airport in Kasama, Northern Province.

President Hichilema returned to the country yesterday from state visits to Germany and Italy.

Northern Province Minister Leonard Mbao confirmed President Hichilema’s visit to Kasama to ZANIS in Kasama yesterday.

Mr Mbao said the expanded airport is expected to derive numerous benefits for Kasama and Northern Province.

“President Hakainde Hichilema’s promise to the people of Northern Province, which was to finish the construction of the infrastructure, is coming to fruition,” he said.

The minister said the airport will have capacity to service bigger aircraft daily, ease movements and improve overall economic activities in the province.

Mr Mbao said the expansion of Kasama Airport had dragged on for many years, hence the people of Northern Province are geared to see the completed airport commissioned.

Government engaged Zambia National Service (ZNS) to complete the stalled expansion works on the Kasama Airport runway at a cost of about K71 million.

The airport project commenced in 2014 but experienced delays until August 2022 when President Hichilema intervened and directed that it should be completed. ZANIS