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To show its commitment towards the project and the co-hosting of the general assembly, the Government engaged a Chinese contractor to undertake the expansion of the airport to allow it to handle a larger volume of traffic.
In an interview after touring the airport to assess progress made so far, Transport, Communication and Infrastructural Development Minister Nicholas Goche said the ground had been cleared and the contractor was in the process of transporting the material to be used from Harare to the site.
“We have agreed with the contractor that the terminal building cannot be completed before the congress but the runway will be completed in time,” he said.
“The construction of the terminal building will only be completed after the general assembly. The project is also expected to incorporate the expansion of immigration, customs and radar control points to international standards.”
Minister Goche said he was encouraged by the fact that the Chinese were famous for completing projects in a short period of time.
“I will be back here in two to three months to assess progress. I want to also thank the community leadership for their support of the project because they also stand to benefit and therefore I am glad we are of the same mind as far as the progression of the project is concerned.
“So let us work together so that there are no hiccups as far as the project goes.”
Minister Goche also revealed that the national Airline, Air Zimbabwe would be back in the skies regionally “very soon” as the Government was in the process of clearing its debts.
“It is pointless to fly into a destination where you are indebted because the aircraft might be attached.
That is why we have not been flying to some destinations but that will be over soon as we are busy clearing the debts,” he said.
Minister Goche was accompanied by Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe board member Ms Thandiwe Mlobane and CAAZ chief executive officer Mr David Chawota.
The new runaway will be four kilometres long and will see bigger and wider bodied aircrafts such as the Airbus A340, Boeing 777 and 747 flying directly into the resort town during and after the general assembly.
Online Reporter