The local Transportation Communication and Informatics office and Angkasa Pura I as the airport`s operator on Thursday (Nov 24) held a coordinating meeting to address the problem of cattle or dogs often entering the airport`s restricted areas, including its runways.
"We already discussed the matter at the coordinating meeting yesterday, and Angkasa Pura I has recognized that dogs and cattle roaming freely on the airport`s apron pose a serious problem," Ridwan Syah, head of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB)`s Transportation, Communication and Informatics Office, said here Friday.
Ridwan said the NTB provincial government and officials had also been coordinating on the cattle invasion of the international airport area with other relevant parties besides the Angkasa Pura I management.
The related parties were the Animal Husbandry and Animal Health Office, the Central Lombok district administration and security forces responsible for airport security.
"We also need the support and participation of local residents in monitoring their livestock or pets so that they do not enter the airport area," Ridwan said.
The animal intrusions had been occurring since two weeks ago with members of the Air Force`s Special Force (Paskas) often seen chasing with sticks goats or dogs that had entered the airport area.
It was believed the animals could enter the airport`s open spaces through breaches in the metal fences and walls around the airport`s periphery.
Meanwhile, BIL Angkasa Pura I General Manager I Ketut Erdi Nuka was still unable to confirm the existence of the problem when contacted by cell phone.
BIL is located about 40 kilometers south of Mataram, NTB`s provincial capital, and was inaugurated by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono last October.
(SYS/A050/A014)
Editor: Suryanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
