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NewsDay

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Joshua Nkomo airport hits another snag

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GOVERNMENT’S failure to provide $740 000 for the installation of security systems at the upgraded Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport in Bulawayo is stalling the opening of the multi-million-dollar facility.

GOVERNMENT’S failure to provide $740 000 for the installation of security systems at the upgraded Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport in Bulawayo is stalling the opening of the multi-million-dollar facility. REPORT BY RICHARD MUPONDE SENIOR REPORTER

Delays in opening the facility – whose upgrading started about a decade ago – has prompted critics to claim Nkomo’s name was being abused for political mileage by opportunists instead of preserving “his rich political legacy”.

The airport had been expected to be officially opened on Unity Day, December 22, last year.

In an interview last week in Victoria Falls, Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe chief executive officer David Chawota revealed that the operationalisation of the new terminal had been stalled by lack of money.

“What remains is the installation of surveillance and security systems, including check-in facilities,” he said. “There must be facilities that enable travellers to trace their goods. Travellers wouldn’t like a situation where they would lose their luggage. We are looking forward to getting resources in the short term, possibly in three months’ time. The money is not there to take care of these systems and we are waiting for disbursements in February.”

Chawota said they had so far spent over $14 million on the project.

The upgrading of Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport was initially scheduled to be completed in December 2004.

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