Give local firms first priority, says Cain Mathema

Victoria Falls correspondent
MATABELELAND North Provincial Minister of State Cain Mathema has called upon the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) to consider giving local companies first priority when awarding tenders or leasing trading space at the newly refurbished Victoria Falls International Airport terminal. The minister said operators from the province must benefit from the multi-million dollar upgrading exercise since the resources that were being exploited were from the province.

“This is a very big national project which has an impact on people’s lives. We want to implore CAAZ to be seriously sensitive to companies that operate in this province in as far as awarding of tenders is concerned,” said Mathema.

“We’re aware that more than 300 people have been employed in this province up to date but what we’re saying is that such employment must come at all levels, that’s, from engineers to general hands”, he said.

He implored vendors to think beyond the selling of wood carving products and ‘doils’.

“Gone are the days when only wood carving products were the major items to be sold to tourists. Tourists these days have a lot of money to spend. Think about selling gold and diamond rings.

“We mustn’t end at polishing diamonds as a country but should go on and sell the final product and Victoria Falls is the place. Broaden your scope,” he said.

Victoria Falls Mayor, Councillor Sifiso Mpofu concurred saying tourism companies that operate in Victoria Falls must be given the first right of refusal when allocating shops at the new terminal.

“We’ve many companies in Victoria Falls that sell clothes, curios and food. We urge CAAZ to give these companies the first right of refusal when it comes to allocation of trading space,” he said.

Mpofu added that the companies should stand up and be counted through delivery of high quality services.

“Tour operators should match their services with the state- of- the- art developments happening at the airport. We don’t expect you to get these shops if your goods and services don’t meet the international standard,” he said. The rehabilitation of the Victoria Falls airport is expected to be completed mid-next year. The development is going to create a lot of restaurant space, curio shops as well as space for other duty free shops.