Bulawayo, December 06 2009 -The much awaited upgrading and refurbishment of the country's strategic airports is now a reality following allocation of funds to the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) by Minister of Finance Tendai Biti.

Joshua Mqabuko International Airport in Bulawayo was allocated USd4, 1 million while  the Buffalo Range Airport in Masvingo was allocated US 1 million and USd 14, 4 million would go to Harare International Airport, constructed a few years ago to replace its old and small terminal. 

The upgrade of the airports is aimed at accommodating the numerous visitors anticipated in the country during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

“Following the disbursement of the funds the government has already ordered CAAZ to complete the upgrading of the airports. Government can no longer afford to continue prolonging the projects... ahead of next year’s soccer showcase which will see a lot of tourists converging in the region,” said Transport Minister Nicholas Goche.

A lot of international airlines have expressed their willingness to fly to Victoria Falls, for instance, complaining about the state of the runway, which they say is small and rough.

“ Once our airports are upgraded and refurbished we will be able to attract bigger and more airlines. Once that is done the country will be able to deal directly with tourists from all over the world and that will change the face of our tourism," said  Goche.

Zimbabwe has for the last decade been battling to boost its tourism industry due to negative publicity which has been a result of a political and economic crisis the country was going through. At present a lot of airlines do not fly into the country.

The upgrading of the Mqabuko international airport, named after the late Vice President Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo, was initially scheduled to be completed in December 2004 but has been dogged by numerous problems.

In April 2003 the project was grounded to a standstill due to a nationwide shortage of cement. The timely intervention by the government through the then Ministry of Transport and Communication enabled the project to continue even though costs had gone up from an initial of $5, 6 billion to $60 billion Zimbabwe dollar. A Chinese company also rescued CAAZ with a $US5 million line of credit in February 2004. Rains also delayed construction work at the site.

Work at the airport includes expansion of the existing terminal building and infrastructure, refurbishment of international arrivals hall and a larger area to house several shops. The project also includes the expansion of a car park and road network while a separate state pavilion will also be built. The government availed the tender for the refurbishment of the airport to Reliance Equipment; a Bulawayo based indigenous company which is in joint partnership with an international construction company, Murray and Robert.

By Radio VOP