admin
confidence that the country was going to successfully co-host the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) general assembly scheduled for August next year despite some recent negative statements about the country and its state of preparedness.
Dr Sibanda who was in Victoria Falls to assess progress in the upgrading of infrastructure to be used during the general assembly said he was satisfied with the status of preparedness in Victoria Falls.
“I appreciate the fact that even the tourism industry is in this thing with us. HAZ (Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe) you have shown that you are ready to host this very important event next year. The business community is working closely with us and in fact, the Mayor (Councillor Nkosilathi Jiyane) has assured as the chair of the Local Organising Committee that the business community is working closely with us. In fact, the Mayor as a member of LOC you have reassured us that things are on course and this leaves me with no doubt that we are going to succeed,” he said.
Dr Sibanda who was heading a high-powered Government delegation made up of his deputies, Retired Colonel Christian Katsande, Mr Justine Mupamhanga and
Permanent Secretaries for Energy and Power Development, Transport, Communications and Infrastructure Development, Tourism, Hospitality Industry and Health and Child Welfare, Mr Patson Mbiriri, Mr Munesushe Munodawafa, Ms Margaret Sangarwe and Retired Brigadier-General Dr Gerald Gwinji and other senior Government officials said the whole world should know that the event was going to take place as scheduled next year.
“Please pass the message out there. It should be known that the event is going to take place despite what might have been said in the past. What I have seen makes me feel that we are definitely on course. There are hitches here and there but we will overcome them. I am going to come back before the end of the year or early next year to review the state of preparedness again and I hope that we will start celebrating,” he said.
Dr Sibanda implored every Zimbabwean to do their bit for the success of the congress and the country.
“I call upon the media to please write favourably about the country. Look at other countries, when they are preparing for big events, they work together, look at the just-ended Olympics held in London, UK, the event was made special because the media in that country was speaking with one voice and I call upon Zimbabwean media to write positive stories about the country,” he said.
Dr Sibanda emphasised the need that Zimbabweans should work together for a common cause.
“Let’s work together for a common cause and for a win-win situation, for our country,” he said.
Dr Sibanda also said that Victoria Falls would be spared from load-shedding during the congress.
“Generators will be provided to increase capacity in case of power cuts, but we are assured that Victoria Falls will be spared of any load-shedding. My visit was successful indeed,” he said.
The delegations toured the new runway site at the Victoria Falls International Airport, the proposed site of the convention centre and the Chogm park site, Victoria Falls District Hospital, PSMI Medical Centre, Victoria Falls roadworks between the border post and the bridge, A’ Zambezi River Lodge, Kingdom Hotel, Victoria Falls Safari Lodge and Elephant Hills Resort.
At the airport, Dr Sibanda was assured by Mr Munodawafa that the runway expansion project would be completed in the next 12 months.
“The runway will be ready for the general assembly. The materials to be used here have all been sourced, the contractor has started clearing the area,” he said.
Officials from the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare told Dr Sibanda at the Victoria Falls District Hospital that work on the construction of the new intensive care unit and the new maternal health care unit had started.
Dr Sibanda was also told that the kitchen had received new equipment that included stoves, freezers and food warmers.
The mortuary would also be expanded from the present six units to 18 units.
At the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, Dr Sibanda was told by the general manager, Mr Jonathan Hudson, that the industry was all set for the event.
At Elephant Hills Resort, the hotel where the main event in Victoria Falls will be housed in a modern marquee, which will be erected on the golf course, Dr Sibanda was assured by Rooney’s director Mr Shameck Mupeti that his company had the capacity to play host to the congress.
The bid was successful on the basis of the marquee where the official opening ceremony and some breakaway meetings would be held.
“We will fell a few trees on the fairway to make room for the delegates. We are going to put in place the main reception, breakaway rooms for smaller sessions and there will also be rooms for the media, the VVIPs in the fairway. So we are saying it will be a full package here because there will be the PA system, wooden floor and carpet and air conditioning. There is also space for packing in the course,” said Mr Mupeti.
Clr Jiyane said the community was geared up for the event adding that the official countdown to August next year would be officially launched on Friday.
The visit by the delegation comes two weeks before the second assessment visit by the UNWTO secretary-general Dr Taleb Rifai, who is scheduled to arrive in the country at the end of the month.
The UNWTO boss was in the country in May to witness the historic signing ceremony of the co-hosting agreement by President Mugabe and his Zambian counterpart President Michael Sata on the Victoria Falls Bridge.
Online Reporter