Online Reporter
Nyore Madzianike
Senior Reporter
THE construction of a world-class industrial park in Mt Hampden, designed to support the emerging new city and expansion of Charles Prince Airport, has commenced, with roads now being paved as the developer begins servicing the designated land.
The development aligns with the Government’s New City Development Programme aimed at enhancing long-term value and investment appeal.
Sitting on 123,6-hectare (ha) of land, the large-scale industrial development is meant to support Zimbabwe’s growing industrial, commercial and manufacturing sectors.
Situated adjacent to Charles Prince Airport, the project offers access to air, road and rail frontage, making it an ideal logistics and industrial hub.
Over the past decades, the piece of land was occupied by more than 700 illegal settlers, who were successfully evicted by the Sheriff of the High Court, working with law-enforcement agencies, early this year.
The property is owned by Willdale Limited.
The company’s chief executive officer, Mr Nyasha Matonda, said rehabilitation of pits, which were created by illegal settlers involved in sand poaching and brick moulding, was being done.
He said industrial stands have since been created for potential investors.
“Currently, we are rehabilitating the old pits and, in some sections, pegging and construction of roads are underway,” he said.
“These are industrial stands and the purchasers are encouraged to take advantage of the airport, railway line and the highway as they come up with their infrastructure.”
Mr Matonda said the industrial park presents employment and investment opportunities for companies in all economic sectors.
“There will be proper formal employment, which comes with the park’s proximity to manufacturing entities,” he said.
In a statement, Willdale company secretary Mr Mavuto Munginga said: “Following the recovery of the land, vacant possession has been formally granted to the appointed contractor to commence the development of an industrial park on the site.”
Mr Munginga said the project aligns with the Second Republic’s development agenda and was expected to play a key role in transforming Mt Hampden into a modern, globally competitive city.
“The development of the industrial park is in line with the Government of Zimbabwe’s thrust to develop Mt Hampden into a world-class city and will also play a critical support role to the expansion of Charles Prince Airport into a regional hub of trade and commerce,” he said.
Airports Company of Zimbabwe (ACZ) public relations and communications manager Mr Tonderai Mangombe said the expansion project was part of the Second Republic’s development agenda, as envisioned in the Vision 2030 blueprint.
He said the airport expansion project, which started under the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), will form part of NDS2.
“This expansion drive is under the President’s development agenda and it is meant to serve the new city to be developed in Mt Hampden,” he said.
“Once the (airport expansion) project is completed, it is targeting to serve 12 million passengers.”
Mr Mangombe said the Government will soon come up with a funding model for the whole project, which will be led by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development.
The project has undergone extensive planning and technical assessments, including topographical and cadastral surveys, as well as geotechnical soil investigations.
Subdivision layout plans and engineering designs for roads, water, sewer system, storm water and electricity have since been approved.
An environmental impact assessment certificate has been acquired, in compliance with Environmental Management Agency regulations.
At Charles Prince Airport, the Government has set aside 300ha for the expansion drive.
An investor has already been scouted to undertake the project through a public-private partnership deal.
Charles Prince Airport, which sits on 171ha of land, is used mainly for light aircraft and flying academies.
Under the new plan, it will be upgraded to international standards, comparable to those at the recently expanded Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport. Last year, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona; Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Dr Anxious Masuka; ACZ board chairperson Advocate Tichaona John Muhonde; ACZ chief executive officer Mr Tawanda Gusha and other Government officials toured the airport.
During the visit, the Ministry of Lands formally handed over the land to the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development to facilitate the expansion.
Bongani Ndlovu