Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
THE Government has begun processes leading to the construction of an airport in Beitbridge near Lutumba growth point some 20km along Beitbridge-Masvingo Road, Matabeleland South Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Albert Nguluvhe, has said.
Speaking during a field visit to assess ongoing infrastructure development projects in Beitbridge, he said the facility will cost about US$100 million.
Minister Nguluvhe said he has since approached Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister, Felix Mhona, to speed up the processes leading to the implementation of the project.
He said although the site was identified in 2018 there has been little progress on the ground due to funding.
“We are here today to track progress on this project and so far I have engaged the Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister Cde Mhona over the issue and he has assured me that the project will get the attention it deserves,” said Cde Nguluvhe.
“In addition, we are still engaging a potential investor so that we may expedite the civil works on site. Further to that we are planning to upgrade the airstrip in Beitbridge town as a quick win project while we mobilise to build a state-of-the-art airport in the Beitbridge RDC area.
“This airport project is part of enhancing national development and unpacking opportunities in tourism, transport and logistics sectors.”
Minister Nguluvhe said the airport potential investor was also interested in upgrading the local railway station to make it a commercial hub of choice.
At the moment the local railway station has tracks that can carry at least 21 trains at any given time.
Cde Nguluvhe said since Beitbridge is the busiest inland port in southern Africa there is a need to ensure it is transformed to become an economic hub for both cargo and human traffic in the region.
“Our thinking is that the new airport will serve as a dry port for international trade considering the high level of livestock production, citrus and farmers engaged in horticulture in the district,” he said.
Minister Nguluvhe said the coming in of the new airport will create opportunities for increased tourism activities and warehouses for cargo.
He also urged the local Rural District Development Committee (RDDC) to restore order at the proposed airport site where some people were illegally settling themselves.
When the area was cited the Government identified 47 homesteads for relocation. However, some traditional leaders are accused of illegally selling and parceling out land on the same area.
“We have been working with traditional leaders in that area to restore order by halting illegal settlements,” said District Development Co-ordinator, Mrs Sikhangezile Mafu.
Minister Nguluvhe also had the opportunity to visit the Mutshilashokwe broken bridge, which links the town with the Great Mapungubwe Trans-Frontier Conservation Area (GMTFCA) that involves national parks in Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development requires at least US$120 000 to build a new bridge that also provides a vital link to commercial farmers and the newly opened Xintai Palm River Special Economic Zone with the regional and global markets.
“We did the structure and the bill of quantities and awarded the tender to a contractor in 2022 and we expect the project to gain traction as soon as we get adequate funding.
We are working with other stakeholders in our bid to engage potential investors so that we carry out civil works as soon as possible,” said Matabeleland South Roads Engineer, Mangisi Nkomo.
He said plans were also underway to rehabilitate the road linking Beitbridge and Nhwali.
The provincial head for the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (Rida) Engineer Oria Gumbo said they have started working on the preliminary works to build a bridge in the Siyoka area in Beitbridge.
