Work on new Phu Quoc airport makes steady progress

The VND16.2 trillion ($810 million) airport in Duong To commune will replace the existing Phu Quoc Airport 10 km away.

Dang Hai Nam, deputy head of the airport construction management, told Tuoi Tre that work on the runways, hangars, and terminals were proceeding on schedule.

However, several roads leading the airport were yet to be completed, he said.

The seven-kilometer Duong Dong – Cua Lap road, for instance, was only half complete though construction began as long ago as in October 2008, he said. The road was scheduled for completion in November 2009.

“[The road] is full of dust on sunny days and becomes muddy whenever it rains,” Nguyen Thi Lien, a local, said.

Construction of the Cua Lap Bridge on the road has barely started though the contractors have been given two extensions.

Hoang Ngoc Chinh, head of a construction team from 508 Company under the Civil Engineering Construction Company No 5, said 10 workers from his team were building the bridge’s abutments.

Asked when the bridge would be completed since such a small number of workers were doing the job, he replied he had “no idea.”

Danh Thanh Vinh of the Kien Giang Province Department of Transport, admitted all five traffic projects meant to serve the new airport were behind schedule.

He blamed the tardiness on the lack of funds and the poor capabilities of some of the contractors.

“The provincial people’s committee planned to spend VND338 billion this year but we have only received VND200 billion.

“The five projects can meet the government’s deadlines only if we have enough money.”
Nguyen Van Sau, deputy head of the management board for the investment and development of Phu Quoc Island, said funds were the biggest problem.

The rainy season, which lasted for as long as six months on the island, also delayed the construction, he said.

“If the funds problem remains unresolved by next year, the construction will not be done in time,” he warned.