admin
Lloyd Gumbo in VICTORIA FALLS
A high-POWERED Government delegation yesterday toured the venue of the 34th Summit of Sadc Heads of State and Government here and expressed satisfaction with the preparations.
An inter-ministerial team of permanent secretaries led by Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Misheck Sibanda visited several facilities including the Victoria Falls Airport, hospitals and Elephant Hills Hotel, the actual venue of the summit.
Part of the delegation included Deputy Chief Secretaries in the Office of the President and Cabinet Dr Ray Ndhlukula and Mr Justin Mupamhanga, permanent secretaries Mr George Charamba (Information, Media and Broadcasting Services), Engineer George Mlilo (Local Government, Public Works and National Housing), Mr Munesu Munodawafa (Transport and Infrastructural Development), Dr Gerald Gwinji (Health and Child Care) and Ms Florence Nhekairo (Tourism and Hospitality Industry).
Engineer Samuel Kundishora (Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services) and Dr Thokozile Chitepo (Sport, Arts and Culture) were also part of the team.
Dr Sibanda said they were impressed with the work done and were confident that Zimbabwe would host one of the best summits.
“I am highly impressed with the work that has been done by our preparatory committee for the forthcoming summit right from the airport, the preparation there for the reception of our VVIPs, the arrangements are perfect and even the hospitals, first the Chinotimba (Victoria Falls) General Hospital has been improved not only for the benefit of the community of Chinotimba, but there are also some private wards for the visiting Heads of State and Government,” said Dr Sibanda.
“We also had the opportunity to meet Zimbabweans who have come back from the Diaspora who are in the medical field who have set up their own private clinic first to cater for Heads of State (not only)with state-of-the-art hospital equipment, but also as a way of contributing towards medical tourism for our great Zimbabwe tourist centre.
He said while some final touches were being put at the venue and Victoria Falls Hospital, everything would be in place by Wednesday next week.
Several marquees have been erected at Elephant Hills Hotel, including the main one (a 700-seater) where the opening ceremony will take place, one for the First Ladies, another one for accreditation of delegates and a media centre.
A local firm, Rooney’s, has been contracted to erect the marquees that resemble those used at the Zanu-PF 14th Annual National People’s Conference in Chinhoyi last year.
Rooney’s operations director Mr Shameck Mupeti assured the delegation that final touches to the venue would be completed by Wednesday next week.
The team was told that there was a high capacity generator on standby in the event of power cuts.
The delegation went through all the facilities at the venue, including some of the rooms where delegates will be staying.
Mr Charamba said a number of television screens would have to be erected in the media centre for live feed.
Summit Local Organising Committee chairperson and Victoria Falls Mayor, Councillor Sifiso Mpofu said they would be conducting a number of clean up campaigns ahead of the summit.
Online Reporter