March 8, 2006
Ethiopian News Agency

The construction of an international airport with over 7 mln. US Dollar allocated by the government was well underway in Jigjiga town, capital of the Somali State

Project coordinator, Engineer Million Getachew told Ethiopian News Agency on Monday that the airport being constructed on 53 hectares of land at an area 12-km away from Jijjiga town was expected to be finalized in 20 months.

The coordinator said work on the construction of the airport was launched in May 2005.

He said the construction has created jobs to over 200 people living in the area.

The coordinator said the airport would enable pastoralists in the State to export animal products and generate foreign currency, which would help them improve their livelihood.