Treasury yet to release JMN airport funds

In a telephone interview yesterday Transport, Communication and Infrastructure Development Minister Nicholas Goche said there was no activity at the airport because of lack of funding.
“We are still waiting for Treasury to release the funding for the completion of the remaining work. At the moment there is no activity taking place at the airport,” said Minister Goche.

The commissioning of the new terminal building was initially scheduled for April last year before being shifted to June and later on to end of July last year.
It was further postponed to end of last year before being postponed indefinitely.
Minister Goche, however, expressed optimism that the Ministry of Finance would release the funds soon.

He could not be drawn into giving the commissioning date, saying that would depend on the availability of the funds.
“We expect funding to be availed soon to complete the upgrading work and then commission the project,” he said without elaborating.
Early this year, Bulawayo Governor and Resident Minister Cain Mathema said the $10,5 million allocated for the project in this year’s budget was not enough.

He said Finance Minister Tendai Biti gave people the wrong impression that the $10,5 million was for the completion of the building of the airport while it was for sewer works, runway and the erection of the control tower.
Instead, Governor Mathema said the remaining upgrading exercise required $20 million.

He also said delays in the completion of the project was hampering efforts to lure potential investors who would assist in the revival of Bulawayo’s economy.
The aviation industry is considered one of the critical economic forces especially in the tourism sector.

Governor Mathema said people from Bulawayo have waited for too long and challenged Minister Biti to expedite the release of the funds.
In 2010, the Government allocated $4,1 million for the project and $5 million in last year’s budget.

Although the project is almost complete, aspects such as the fitment of the Common User Terminal  Equipment (CUTE) system and security systems are yet to be finalised.