$700 000 needed to operationalise Joshua Nkomo Airport

by Staff reporter

2013 January 22 08:04:28 | 2997 Views

THE Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) is short of $740 000 to operationalise the $30 million Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport in Bulawayo, amid reports that the upgrading of the facility was complete.

In an interview in Victoria Falls, CAAZ general manager, Mr David Chawota, said if they had access to $740 000 now, the airport would be operating in the next three months.

"As far as the completion of Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport is concerned, we have gone very far, in fact we are so near yet very far away in the sense that we are unable to operationalise it now," he said.

"Most of the physical work is complete in as far as the shell is concerned. It was our desire to have that new terminal operational last year, but resources were not available."

Mr Chawota said they are unable to put in place systems and equipment required from an international point of view for security of the airport, users and their luggage.

"There is need for us to provide security and facilitation to separate and distinguish domestic and international travellers. If we had resources, the matter would have taken only two months to implement and that includes ordering, delivering and installing the equipment at the airport for the value of about $740 000," he said.

Mr Chawota added: "There is need for the airport to have a surveillance system, a security system for check-in particularly for international travellers because there should be a tractability system for their luggage, which is still to be installed."

Mr Chawota was, however, optimistic that the funds would soon be available from the Government through on-lending.

"Right now we do not have that money, but in February when Government starts allocating funds, we hope to get it and place orders and have the system operational by April," said Mr Chawota.

He said they would continue using the old tower in the meantime before a new tower is constructed. "We will put up a new tower as time goes on to provide maximum facilitation from the aerodrome as soon as its operation commences," said Mr Chawota.

The upgrading of Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport, named after the late nationalist and Vice-President Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo, has been going on for almost a decade.

In April 2003 the project came to a standstill due to a nationwide shortage of cement.

It was initially scheduled to be completed in December 2004, but has been dogged by numerous problems.

From then different dates and months have been given when the airport would be operationalised but to no avail with 22 December last year being the most recent date which had been predicted.

The airport, which is now four times bigger than the old one, boasts facilities which include CCTV, access control, a fire alarm system and a state-of-the-art telephone system that meets international standards.

In addition to a business lounge, the airport houses offices, shops, bars, banks and the Joshua Nkomo gallery.

Airport

Source: TH