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She said construction work on the proposed convention centre to play host to delegates attending the general assembly and the expansion of the Victoria Falls International Airport would start soon following the finalisation of the documentation.
In an interview after an inter-ministerial tour of the Victoria Falls Bridge, the Victoria Falls Hotel, A’Zambezi River Lodge and Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, VP Mujuru said she was overwhelmed by the level of preparations on the part of players in the tourism industry in Victoria Falls.
“I am actually surprised on the amount of work, the amount of preparedness shown by the residents of Victoria Falls. We are already ready to co-host the event with nine months to go. However, there is still more work to be done but I can say that Zimbabwe is at it,” she said.
“We are ready and even the UNWTO secretary-general will be surprised with the level of preparedness.”
On the proposed construction of the convention centre to house two hotels, a shopping mall and conference rooms, VP Mujuru said the documentation was ready.
“The construction of the convention centre and the expansion project of Victoria Falls International Airport will go on soon as the documentation is ready.
“These are not small companies; they are very big companies who are not worried about time because they can put in place facilities that will see people working 24 hours a day. They can do the work in time for the general assembly,” said VP Mujuru.
The Vice-President said her visit was part of the ongoing preparations ahead of the general assembly.
“At some convenient time, we will meet with our Zambian counterparts because we are having visitors to see the state of preparedness. We are welcoming the secretary-general in preparation of the meeting of the Heads of State and Government of the co-hosting countries.
“So my visit is so that I can be aware of what is happening on the ground because I have been briefed by officials and had not seen what is happening,” she said.
Other major projects earmarked for Victoria Falls include the refurbishment of the Victoria Falls District Hospital into a state-of-the-art institution, relocating the dumpsite and the rehabilitation of the sewer and water reticulation systems.
Zambia and Zimbabwe won the bid to co-host the 20th session of the UNWTO General Assembly.
About 5 000 delegates from six regional commissions of the UNWTO — Africa, the Americas, Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and South Asia —are expected to attend the conference.
Online Reporter