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Government plans to construct a cargo village at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport as well as install state-of-the-art ground handling support equipment at the institution at a cost of $2.4 million. Besides improving movement of cargo, the cargo village and the ground handling equipment will also have massive economic benefits including creation of jobs directly and indirectly.
Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister Joram Gumbo in his progress report on the Ministry’s 100 Day projects, said the tender documents for the procurement of ground support equipment has been submitted to the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ).
PRAZ replaced the State Procurement Board. The ground handling equipment will be procured and installed under a $2,2 m facility to be loaned by the CBZ Bank.
“The equipment will improve ground handling capacity for the country and be able to handle increased business activity in the country,” he said.
Dr Gumbo said delays by PRAZ to approve the tender was hampering progress for the procurement of the equipment.
On the cargo vVillage, Dr Gumbo said the concept has been approved and feasibility studies were work in progress. The construction of the $200 000 cargo village was going to be financed by internally generated resources.
“This will unlock cargo export potential for the country and gives confidence to external investors. Protracted stakeholders consultations and preliminary studies are underway,” said Dr Gumbo.
Government has stepped up effort to improve local aviation facilities and recently announced it had secured US$153 million from China for the expansion of the International Airport with reconstruction work set to start soon.
The China Export Import Bank has extended the loan facility for the project to be undertaken by Chinese construction and engineering firm, China Jiangsu. Recently, China Jiangsu successfully completed the expansion of Victoria Falls International Airport, which now have capacity to handle thousands of tourists daily. The expansion of Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, will increase the facility’s capacity from handling around 2,5 million travellers to over 6 million annually.
Ethiopian Airlines has introduced flights to Victoria Falls, while Lufthansa and Rwanda Air are engaging the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe in pursuit of operating permits and soon will be coming on board.
Further, Air Zimbabwe will soon take delivery of six aircraft as part of Government’s efforts to revive the national flag carrier, calling for the need to have Cargo Villages in major international airports and improved handling facilities.
Online Reporter