The Government may terminate the Sh30 billion project to modernise Songwe Airport in Mbeya should the contractor fail to show progress in six weeks, the minister for Infrastructural Development Dr Shukuru Kawambwa has said.

The minister gave the ultimatum to Kundan Singh Construction Company when he inspected the project on Tuesday.

A statement from the ministry sent to newsrooms indicate that the minister was not impressed with the pace of construction work and demanded commitment from the contractor who won the tender for the project last year.

"The Government does not agree with reasons advanced by the contractor on the delay including equipment and gavel shortage," the statement quoted Dr Kawambwa as saying.

The minister said he would visit the site in January to assess development. He said the project was one of election promises of the ruling CCM and has the potential to boost agriculture in the region.

Dr Kawambwa said enough funds had been set aside for expansion of local airports and directed the Tanzania Airport Authority to monitor and report progress in other areas.

A representative of Kundan Singh Construction Company, Mr Chami Ferdinand, said they will strive to execute the directives and finish the project within the set deadline.

Deputy technical director of the Tanzania Airports Authority (TAA) White Majula, said the government decided to extend runways to handle big aircraft.

The contract was signed in 12 September, 2008 and is supposed to be completed in two years.

The project is expected to cost Sh32.17 billion on completion.