The ManicaPost
Moffat Mungazi
Business Reporter
GOVERNMENT is moving to resuscitate all the country’s aerodromes, with Grand Reef Airstrip in Mutare set to be upgraded into a fully-fledged airport, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister, Honourable Felix Mhona has said.
Speaking during a tour of the facility last Friday, which is situated about 20 kilometres west of the city, Minister Mhona said the initiatives are in line with the infrastructural development agenda under Vision 2030.
“All aerodromes across the country, some of which were under the purview of the District Development Fund (DDF) and the military, will be resuscitated for civilian use. Besides the aerodromes in Binga and Hwange, we will also be refurbishing the Grand Reef Airstrip and upgrade it to enable the landing of private planes.
“This is all in line with President Mnangagwa’s calls for the need to transform and develop the country. Going by his mantra, we are building brick by brick and stone by stone in tandem with Vision 2030 to achieve a prosperous and empowered upper middle income economy,” said Minister Mhona.
He said the airstrip’s current 1 200-metre runway is set to be expanded to a standard 3 000 to 4 000-metre one.
Said Minister Mhona: “The upgrading of Grand Reef airstrip will begin by putting asphalt overlay on the runway and then expand it into a holistic facility that will be of beneficial use to Manicland Province and the country’s economy. We are moving around with the engineers to ascertain the work that needs to be done.”
He revealed that another new site has been identified for the construction of an airport in Mutasa District.
Minister Mhona said work on that massive project, which is still at the feasibility study stage, is expected to start after they finish upgrading Grand Reef Airstrip.
He said such projects have the capacity to unlock the province’s vast potential as a prime tourist destination.
Local players in the hospitality industry have over the years described the absence of an airport terminal in Manicaland as the missing link to a more vibrant tourism sector in the province.
Having direct flights to the province will make Manicaland more accessible to both local and international tourists.
Manicaland offers breathtaking packages in Vumba, Nyanga and Chimanimani.
Minister Mhona allayed fears that bureaucratic red tape will forestall progress.
He said under the Second Republic, Government is moving with speed to improve efficiency in implementing important national projects.
He added that public-private partnerships are also important vehicles in initiating and carrying out projects, with President Mnangagwa calling on the Diaspora community to be involved in building the nation.
Calls are also being made for the international community to invest in the country since Zimbabwe is open for business.
Speaking during the same tour, Airports Company of Zimbabwe’s chief executive, Mr Tawanda Gusha said they are mobilising resources for the upgrading of the Grand Reef Airstrip after carrying out the initial assessment.
“In our massive airport infrastructural development programme being implemented nationwide, we are on a drive to develop and modernise our aviation so that it meets international standards. Upgrading this aerodrome into an airport will enable it to handle bigger aircraft.
“At the moment we do not have passenger facilities like a terminal building and an air control tower for use when aircraft takes off or lands,” said Mr Gusha.
