Online Reporter
Mashudu Netsianda-Bulawayo Bureau
BINGA Airstrip in Matabeleland North Province can now handle six light aircraft from three following its recent expansion as part of efforts by the Government to improve accessibility and boost tourism in the district.
The rehabilitation of the airstrip, alongside others in the country, was initiated in 2021 by the Government as part of efforts to improve accessibility, enabling tourism hotspots in remote areas to contribute meaningfully to the country’s economy.
With such attractions as the hot springs, wildlife and some economic activities, including fishing, boating, crocodile farming and cultural activities, among others, Binga is regarded as a prime destination sitting on potentially lucrative untapped tourism opportunities.
The Second Republic, has already taken steps to unlock this potential through the Integrated Development Programme and Conceptual Development Framework for the Victoria Falls-Hwange-Binga Special Economic Zone (SEZ). The vision is to create a thriving tourism corridor stretching from Kazungula near Victoria Falls through Hwange, Binga, Sijalila and Kariba, with connections to the Lake Gwayi-Shangani area, as part of Vision 2030 to transform Zimbabwe into an upper-middle-income economy.
In an interview, Binga District Development Coordinator, Mr Land Kabome, said the Government, through the Rural Infrastructural Development Agency (Rida), formerly District Development Fund (DDF), undertook the renovation works after seeing the heavy flow of traffic through the airstrip.
“Works to rehabilitate the Binga airstrip progressed swiftly with a new runway of 1,1 kilometres being completed. The work done to date has expanded the capacity of the aerodrome to handle six small planes per day up from the previous three,” he said.
“Trenching for the water pipeline from Binga Hospital to the aerodrome has been completed. The laying of pipes has so far been done halfway.”
The Binga Airstrip is one of several high-impact initiatives being implemented in Binga District, in line with President Mnangagwa’s philosophy of “leaving no one and no place behind.”
During a visit to Binga in April 2022, the President directed the Government to expedite development efforts in the previously marginalised district. Unlike in the past, when such pledges were often dismissed as political rhetoric, visible transformation is now underway in Binga.
Completed projects include the long-awaited civil registry offices, Binga Polytechnic College, and the rehabilitation of the district mortuary, now expanded to accommodate 12 bodies, up from six and the construction of a nursing school and Binga Border Post.
Additionally, solar-powered boreholes have been drilled in communities and at chiefs’ homesteads. Others include the rehabilitation of the Binga-Siabuwa Road, the establishment of the Twasumpuka Community Radio Station, the rehabilitation of Binga Craft Centre, the installation of an electricity transformer at Manjolo, installation of internet connectivity at Binga High School to facilitate e-learning.
Recently, Vice President Kembo Mohadi commissioned 37 newly built houses in Nsungwale Village, Binga District as part of a Government programme to permanently resettle families displaced by the devastating floods of February 2020.
The floods, caused by the confluence of Sibwambwa, Sikanda, Namapande and Manyenyengwa rivers, left 181 families homeless. In response, the Government launched the Binga Housing Recovery Project to relocate and secure safe housing for 81 of the most affected households.
