Zim’s UNWTO preps on course

Secretary for Transport and Infrastructure Development Mr Munesu Munodawafa said there is a need to distinguish between the projects Zimbabwe is undertaking in preparation for the UNWTO and those projects that have always been on the cards for the general development in Victoria Falls.

“The new airport we are in the process of building was never intended to be in time for the UNWTO.
“The new airport is part of our  medium-term plans and whether or not we had hosted UNWTO we would still do that,” said Mr Munodawafa, who is chairperson of the infrastructure sub- committee for the UNWTO preparations.

Infrastructural work has been where the bulk of worries have emanated from with speculation rife that the country’s preparations were running behind schedule.
“We are ready to host the UNWTO,” Mr Munodawafa said.

“We are on schedule with all the areas we have agreed to work on.”
He added that infrastructural work planned in preparation for UNWTO includes road works, enhancing Internet connectivity through installation of fibre optics in Victoria Falls and also linking connections with neighbouring Zambia, who are co-hosts of the big event slated for August.

Street lighting, water and sewage reticulation systems, as well as the expansion and refurbishment of the Victoria Falls Hospital, among other work, is expected to be done by the beginning of August.

While there would be no new airport built for the UNWTO, there is, however, a bit of work on the existing airport, Mr Munodawafa explained.
“The capacity of the exiting airport is adequate to handle the numbers coming. It is important to note that while at the official opening of the UNWTO we are talking about 3 000 people, the actual number of foreign delegates flying in is slightly above 1 000.

The rest of the people are support services from around and neighbouring Zambia,” he said.
Modification work at the existing airport includes the expansion of the VIP lounge, enlargement of the check-in counters’ section as well as a new coat of paint, Mr Munodawafa said.

The building of the new airport is a two-year project.