Kotoka International Airport suffers prolonged power outage

The Kotoka International Airport (KIA) yesterday experienced a prolonged power outage.

The incident, which occurred at about 6.30 pm and lasted for about three hours was traced to a fault in one of the electrical cables supplying power to the southern sector of the terminal, resulting in a cut in power supply to that sector.

Officials of the Ghana Airports Company Ltd (GACL) explaining the incident to the Ghana News Agency said the power cut had nothing to do with the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) power supply to the airport.

“The GACL has a total back-up power supply of 5000kva, which automatically takes over, when ECG mains supply goes off,” said the officials.

They explained that with the power cut that occurred, ECG power supply was available but could not be supplied to certain parts of the airport because of the fault.

A release issued by the GACL, said “the GACL Management apologizes for the inconvenience caused by the incident,”

Meanwhile, a sod cutting ceremony would be held next month, for the construction of a third terminal at the airport which is expected to be completed in the course of next year, 2016.

“The present terminal is over 50 years old, and it needs to be closed so it can be completely worked on, and renewed,” said airport officials.

The officials said activities in terminal two which is presently in use, would be shifted to the third terminal which would hopefully be completed by the end of next year,

“This would make it possible for us to reconstruct terminal two, and ensure that there are no unpleasant surprises in the future.”

They said although maintenance on the terminal was not compromised and done to the letter, the age of the building made such unpleasant surprises as the power cut very possible.

“That would be completely resolved once the third terminal is completed,” said the officials.

Source: GNA