By Correspondent

Nairobi — Kenya will host the East African Community Centre for Aviation Medicine, whose construction is nearing completion next to the KCAA headquarters, Aviation House, at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi.

The Centre is a department of the EAC Civil Aviation Safety and Security Oversight Agency (CASSOA) and will offer services to aviation personnel in the region.

The facility being constructed by Kenya on behalf of the regional bloc is projected to cost Sh240 million.

Speaking during a visit to the facility on Friday, the EAC Secretary General, Dr. Peter Mathuki said the centre was a significant boost to the aviation industry in the region, adding that EAC will spare no effort to ensure the centre attained global aviation medicine status.

“This is a huge boost to aviation in the region, and we are proud of the Kenya Government for supporting such a facility,” said the Secretary General

Captain Gilbert Kibe, the Director General of the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) disclosed that construction of the centre is fully funded by the Government of Kenya.

“Sixty percent of the funding has been provided by the Government as a grant support to KCAA through the Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure, Housing, Urban Development and Public Works while the remaining forty percent has been provided by Kenya Civil Aviation Authority,” said Capt. Kibe.

Eng. Joseph Nkadayo, the Chairman of KCAA Board of Directors, said that the Authority was on course to completing this project ahead of time.

“I commend the diligence portrayed in this project as well as the good workmanship exhibited in the construction of the Centre,” said the chairman.

The Centre is being constructed on a two-acre piece of land located at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Currently, the project stands at a completion rate of 93 per cent

Present during Dr Mathuki’s visit were senior aviation officials led by Barry Kashambo, the Regional Director for ICAO Eastern and Southern Africa (ESAF) office.

Read the original article on Capital FM.