adminDuring the general assembly, more than 3 000 delegates are expected to congregate in Victoria Falls and neighbouring Livingstone in August 2013.
To host an event of the magnitude of the UNTWO general assembly requires meticulous preparation and organisation.
As things stand, Zimbabwe does not have a venue that can accommodate all delegates expected to attend the assembly. To overcome the problem, a proposal was made to build a massive convention centre in Victoria Falls ahead of the general assembly.
Such a facility would have required at least a year to complete. However, delays in the release of funds resulted in authorities scrapping altogether plans to build the convention centre as it was realised that the deadline would not be met.
Instead, a back-up plan to build a semi-permanent conference centre was put into place. Construction of the conference centre was set to start last month but up to now, no work has started.
According to Public Works Minister Gabuza Joel Gabuza,the sticking point preventing the start of the project was the cost.
The South African company awarded the tender has quoted $13 million for the project, an amount Government feels is too much for a temporary structure.
“We are saying $13 million is too much for a temporary structure. We have asked the company to justify the amount since it will be aluminium metal with a few glasses. If we can pay that company $13 million for something that’s temporary, why then can’t they just construct something permanent,” the minister was quoted as saying it yesterday’s edition of Business Chronicle.
It’s not for us to judge whether the amount is too much or not. What authorities need to realise is that time is not waiting for them.
We have said it before and it is pertinent we repeat it again. August 2013 might seem to be far off but with the scope of work needed to ensure that the country hosts a successful UNWTO which delegates will talk about for some time to come, very little time is left.
Government needs to make sure that set targets are met if the country is to avoid embarrassing itself come August next year.
From the way things are playing out now, there is a danger that the deadline to complete building the conference centre might not be met again, resulting in the project also being shelved and in the end nothing being done to ensure there is a venue which can accommodate all delegates.
We want to believe that when the Government bid to host the prestigious event, it knew the depth of its pockets and the costs involved.
We urge those responsible for releasing money for the project to make sure that this is done on time to avoid the embarrassment come August next year.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter