Chronicle Editor
Harare Bureau
THE tour of the upgrading works at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport by President Mnangagwa on Wednesday has put into context the New Dispensation’s aspirations in infrastructure development.
The tour was an eye opener, demonstrating to the world that the Second Republic means business when it comes to implementing its objectives in the development agenda.
The progress being made towards completing the upgrading project at the airport is remarkable, and works are on course for completion in line with the timelines.
It is clear that the New Dispensation is carrying out its business differently when it comes to the implementation of developmental projects.
Gone are the days when projects would be drafted and, in some cases, forgotten at that stage. Since the coming in of the New Dispensation the country has seen President Mnangagwa being busy directing operations and then officially commissioning completed developmental projects in various sectors throughout the country.
In fact, it will not be off the mark to posit that more developmental projects have been completed, with many more at advanced stages of completion, since 2017.
Now, Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport is one of the major projects on its course to completion.
The project is one of those the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) (2021 – 2025) envisages to contribute to the attainment of Vision 2030 of achieving an upper middle income economy.
NDS1 is clear on the strategy that the New Dispensation needs to take in the aviation sector to ensure it realises its potential.
According to the economic blueprint, increasing investments in aviation infrastructure can open up the country to more regional trade and increase its competitiveness in the region.
Under NDS1, the main objective is to have a reliable safe world-class air transport infrastructure and services and increase the annual cargo handling capacity and the number of passengers.
To improve air transport infrastructure and services, Government aims to complete the substantial rehabilitation and upgrading of aviation infrastructure at the airports.
It also wants to improve airspace management, safety and security, as well as airport operations.
The NDS1 envisages the launch of a privatisation programme to attract much needed private sector funding for rehabilitation and upgrade of airport facilities to accommodate the projected growth in passenger and freight movements.
Capacitating the airports will mean that the country is ready to cater for the increased interest in travelling to and from Zimbabwe.
This appetite for destination Zimbabwe is reflected in the coming in of airlines like Qatar Airways, which made its inaugural flight to the country a few weeks ago.
More international airlines are lined up to fly to Zimbabwe in the near future, clearly indicating that demand for air travel to the destination is increasing, and is expected to shoot up post-Covid-19 era.
This is the appropriate time for the country to get ready for the increased arrivals, especially for tourism, when normality returns.
This optimism being shown by airlines needs to be complimented by correct infrastructure, and the tour of Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport by President Mnangagwa should be viewed in this perspective.
This political will being shown by President Mnangagwa in ensuring the upgrading of aviation facilities goes a long way to demonstrate the mindset prevailing in Zimbabwe now.
It also shows that the aviation strategies being undertaken by the New Dispensation are very clear and coherent, meant to benefit the country and uplift the standards of operations.
Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport was established in 1956 as Salisbury Airport, but changed its name to Harare International Airport at independence.
The airport is located 15 kilometres south east of Harare and is the main gateway into Zimbabwe and a gateway into Southern Africa, considering its centrality in the region.
To aid understanding of President Mnangagwa’s tour of the airport, here is a summary of the takeaways from his speech at the airport and that of Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister Felix Mhona.
Takeaways from President Mnangagwa’s speech:
– The RGM International Airport expansion project is meant to increase investment in aviation infrastructure
– The airport upgrading project supports Government’s drive to modernise the country and will serve as an enabler to the broader economic growth under way
– Support from China in the airport upgrade is a show of confidence the Asian country has in Zimbabwe’s economic development trajectory
– A new-look RGM International Airport will be a reflection of the image, rich heritage and culture of Zimbabwe
– Air transport plays an important role in promoting national economic development
– Air transport contributes particularly through facilitating tourism, trade, investment, business travel and cargo movement
– The Second Republic has prioritised infrastructure development in various sectors since coming into office
– Appropriate and adequate infrastructure is a game changer in the achievement of Vision 2030
– RGM International Airport project is one of the strategic national projects outlined in the National Development Strategy 1
– Supporting services should start looking at ways of complementing the new facilities by investing in and around the expanded airport
– Investment opportunities include accommodation facilities, airport transfer services, food and beverage outlets and information communication technology facilities
– Upgrading of the airport will enhance safety of operations, reduce delays and bring more comfort for air transport travellers
– Zimbabwe will become a competitive airport hub
-The airport will boost the current positive growth and transformation trends in trade and tourism in the country
– It will help create synergies within global value chains
– Airports Company of Zimbabwe should speedily complete the remaining phases of the project
– The company should develop infrastructure at other airports in the country
– The coming in of Qatar Airways is a testament of Government’s commitment to realise economic growth through opening up of the airspace
– People should be mindful of Covid-19 in whatever they are doing and utilise the increase in national vaccination centres set up across the country to achieve herd immunity
– The upgrading project involves:
(a) Expansion of the current apron areas to accommodate more aero bridges to handle a wider array of aircrafts
(b) Construction of a new fire station
(c) Construction of the VVIP pavilion
(d) Rehabilitation and expansion of the international terminal building
(e) Modernisation of the domestic terminal building
(f) Upgrading of equipment for passenger facilitation, which includes check in counters, baggage handling equipment and access control
(g) Installation of modern navigation equipment
Takeaways from Minister Mhona’s speech:
– RGM International Airport Development Project dovetails with targets enunciated on the National Development Strategy 1 economic blueprint
– The targets include increasing cargo handling capacity from 40,2 million to 43 million and increase number of passengers from 500 000 to two million by 2025
– The engagement and re-engagement policy grounded in economic diplomacy ensured the unlocking of US$153 million from China to upgrade the airport
– The upgrading project started in April 2019 and will be completed by June 2023, and is creating 700 more jobs
– The contractor, China Jiangsu International Economic Technical Cooperation Group, is executing the construction works with distinction
– Air transport leveraged by robust airport infrastructure as envisaged at RGM International Airport is pivotal to economic growth
– The ministry will not leave anyone behind as it strives to fulfil President Mnangagwa’s quest for Vision 2030
– Infrastructure upgrading is also earmarked for other airports like Kariba, Buffalo Range, Hwange, Masvingo and Charles Prince
– A control tower will be constructed at Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport in Bulawayo
– With the upgrade, RGM International Airport will re-claim its status as the hub of air transport connectivity in the region
– The ministry is inspired by President Mnangagwa’s resolve to guide Zimbabwe along a path of rapid socio-economic transformation across various sectors of the economy including airport infrastructure.
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