-boosting hinterland connectivity in Reg. 9

-by Kristin Josiah

The newly commissioned $1.53 billion Karasabai Airstrip is set to transform life for some 1,200 residents in Region Nine, delivering improved connectivity, safer travel, and expanded economic opportunities.

The facility, which was completed in just three months, was officially opened on Saturday by President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali.

The 3,000-foot runway, complete with two taxiways, will accommodate larger and more frequent aircraft, improving the movement of goods and passengers.

It is complemented by an $85 million terminal building, donated by International Import and Supplies, which features a departure and arrival lounge, police and immigration stations, a VIP lounge, and other essential amenities.

The head of state contrasted the new facility with conditions just over two months ago, when poor weather and an underdeveloped runway frequently disrupted travel.

Pilots were often forced to delay or cancel flights due to unsafe landing conditions on the earthen strip. Now, with the upgraded airstrip, aircraft can land at full capacity, even in less favorable weather.

The project also marks a turning point in the delivery of essential services. President Ali noted that previously, medical emergencies required long and uncertain journeys to Lethem, sometimes taking hours and delaying critical care. With the new airstrip, medical evacuation flights can operate day or night, significantly reducing response times.

The president also spoke of his plans to modernise healthcare in the region, through a series of targeted initiatives, including the use of drones for emergency medical supplies.

“In a few months, you will see drones leaving Lethem and landing on your airstrip if you need emergency blood or emergency medical supply,” he stated.

Further, the new facility will drive economic growth, opening doors for the expansion of the region’s aviation and agricultural sector. According to President Ali, the government is exploring the introduction of scheduled weekly flights and investing in infrastructure such as cold storage facilities to support agricultural production.

Farmers in the area were encouraged to scale up the cultivation of crops like peanuts, ginger, onions, and coffee, with private sector partnerships already in discussion.

“We will be working with you to expand coffee production, to expand food production, so we can optimize the value creation that we can have out of this airstrip. Already, Toshau and the leadership of this region have said to us that peanuts, ginger, onion, and coffee are the major target crops in large scale that they want to have in Karasabai,” he said.

This project is part of the government’s wider vision for hinterland development, and complements the similar airstrips recently commissioned in Aishalton, in Region 9, and Paramakatoi, in Region 8.