Govt allocates $2,4m for Kanyemba airstrip

THE District Development Fund (DDF) has been allocated $2,4 million by Treasury to upgrade Chapoto airstrip in Kanyemba, Mbire District, from gravel to a tarmac or asphalt to enable bigger aircraft to land smoothly, an official of Falcon Air, a division of DDF has said.

Speaking during a media tour of the airstrip last week, Falcon Air accountable manager Mrs Monica Chogumaira said the 1 200-metre-long airstrip currently accommodates smaller aeroplanes.

“There is a lot of development going on in Kanyemba and we approached Treasury for funds to upgrade the airstrip. We have been allocated $2, 4 million in 2019 to upgrade the airstrip,” said Mrs Chogumaira. “Aeroplanes which can land here are those weighing up to 5 000 kilogrammes and have lower speeds. Driving to Kanyemba from Harare is tiresome and one would need about six hours because the road is not trafficable but it only takes 35 minutes to fly to Kanyemba.

“Falcon Air is working on introducing smaller planes which can land here such as the Cessna 207 which should be flying by mid next year if foreign currency is made available. Our flagship Cessna F406 is unable to land here at the moment because of its speed but we hope that once the airstrip has been upgraded it should be able to do so.

“There is also another airstrip 10 kilometres from here called Kanyemba airstrip which we are also maintaining. At the moment Kanyemba airstrip is not functional we are using Chapoto which is closer to lodges along the Zambezi River. We charge landing and parking fees on the airstrip. We also charge passenger and departure fees.

“We, however, have some mischievous pilots that land here without paying which is illegal. We need the money to maintain and to keep the airstrip functional.”

DDF provincial coordinator Mr Clement Keni Mutombo said they have embarked on a massive renovation of Falcon Lodges along the Zambezi River in line with development taking place in the area.

“$600 000 has been set aside for the renovations of a burnt chalet which has conference facilities that can accommodate over 40 delegates. We are renovating the staff quarters, offices and two chalets. We also want to add more structures,” said Mr Mutombo.

“Currently we have nine double rooms and we accommodate more than 20 people. After the renovation we will have 20 double and six single rooms. We also offer outdoor camping for $10 per day.”

Falcon Lodges was a rest camp before being turned into a resort area in 1995.