Kumasi, March. 14, GNA - Members of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Roads and Transport have lauded the government for the creation of a separate ministry for Aviation.

Mr Albert Kwaku Obbin, Chairman of the Committee, who gave the commendation, said the current infrastructural development at the various airports in the country had given credence that the Ministry was not created for fun.

Speaking to newsmen in Kumasi after a fact finding tour of the Tamale and Kumasi airports on Friday, Mr. Obbin pointed out that, members were now convinced that the creation of the Ministry was necessary. "We are impressed about the extent of renovation works, especially at the Tamale and Kumasi airports. We believe that the Ministry was not created for fun. Parliament can now say that the Ministry is necessary", Mr Obbin told the journalists at the Kumasi airport in response to a question.

Members of the Committee are on the tour of the various airports in Tamale, Kumasi and Takoradi to see for themselves the extent of renovation works and infrastructural developments currently going on. They were taken round by Mrs Gloria Akuffo, Minister of Aviation and other top officials from the Ministry. They inspected the various refurbished sections of the Kumasi airport, which now served as the second international airport of the country.

Mr Obbin said the tour would afford members the opportunity to give fair assessment of the current situation at the airports. Mrs Akuffo on her part said the Kumasi airport had in recent times recorded increases in the number of air flights and this had improved its status.

She said about 40 million dollars was earmarked for renovation of the three airports before the hosting of the recent CAN 2008. 14 March 08