Mozambique: Niassa State Secretary and Lichinga mayor close ranks over airport vandalism, bringing in the Secretários de Bairro and Chefes das 10 Casas — Photos

The Secretary of State in Niassa Province, Silva Livone, visited the runway area of Lichinga Airport on Tuesday, following acts of vandalism and theft of runway lighting equipment reported on 5 and 6 November.

During the visit, Silva Livone strongly condemned the acts and said those responsible would be held accountable, stressing that there would be no tolerance for offenders.

The visit was also attended by Saíde Júnior, Administrator responsible for Administration and Finance at Aeroportos de Moçambique (ADM), who inspected the damage, which the company estimates at approximately 20 million meticais (around US$313,000).

Lichinga Mayor follows suit

Meanwhile, Lichinga Mayor Luís Jumo has also visited the airport, accompanied by the Secretary of Sanjala Administrative Post, secretaries of the neighbourhoods surrounding the airport (secretários de bairro) and heads of 10 households (chefes das 10 casas). The aim was to show the community the stolen equipment and the damage caused by the vandalism, raising awareness of the seriousness of these acts.

The initiative followed a meeting held on Tuesday morning between Saíde Júnior and Mayor Jumo. It aims to strengthen the involvement of community structures in protecting airport infrastructure and encourage the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities.

In a statement issued last Friday, 6 November, Aeroportos de Moçambique reported that an inspection of the Lichinga Airport runway on 5 November had revealed that 18 approach lights had been vandalised and their respective transformers stolen. A further 13 transformers were found to have been stolen on the morning of 6 November.

ADM warned that the vandalism and theft compromise the operation of airport lighting systems, which are essential for guiding aircraft during approach, landing and take-off, particularly at night and in conditions of reduced visibility.

The company described the acts as a serious threat to civil aviation safety, potentially endangering passengers and crew, compromising flight operations and disrupting the functioning of the airport.

Aeroportos de Moçambique also appealed to people living in neighbourhoods surrounding the airport to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movements, behaviour or information related to the incidents to the relevant authorities, stressing that community cooperation is essential to preventing further occurrences and identifying those responsible.

Source: Aeroportos de Moçambique