Maputo — The construction of an international airport at Nacala, in the northern Mozambican province of Nampula is due to start in April, according to the spokesperson for the Mozambican government, Deputy Justice Minister Alberto Nkutumula.

Briefing reporters on Tuesday about the weekly Cabinet meeting, Nkutumula said the government had given its final approval to the Nacala contract.

The work is budgeted at 112 million US dollars, and will be undertaken by the Brazilian company Odebrescht, in a period of 23 months, transforming the current Nacala military air base into an international airport.

The work involves the construction of passenger and cargo terminals, a new control tower, and repaving the runway, bringing the airport up to the standards demanded by international civil aviation.

The runway will be 3,400 metres long and will be able to take large aircraft such as Boeings 757 and 767. The airport will be able to handle between 500,000 and 600,000 passengers a year.

Nacala is home to the finest deep water port on the east African coast. In order to attract further investment, the government has given it the status of a special economic zone. There are plans to build an oil refinery at Nacala, although the project has been delayed by the international financial crisis.

Nacala is also a convenient starting point for tourists wishing to visit the pristine beaches of northern Mozambique, the Quirimbas archipelago off the coast of Cabo Delgado province, or the Niassa Reserve, near the border with Tanzania. Once the new airport is functioning, such tourists will not be obliged to pass through Maputo, some 2.000 kilometres to the south, first.

The government also approved the creation of the National Sports Institute (INADE) to complement the work of the Ministry of Youth and Sport. "The Ministry designs the policies and the Institute implements them", said Nkutumula. The Institute will also act as liaison between the government and the various sports federations.