Govt okays Grand Reef aerodrome rehab
GOVERNMENT has authorised the rehabilitation and expansion of Grand Reef aerodrome in Mutare to enable it to be used commercially and contribute to national economic development.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) will partner a consortium of Manicaland businesspeople — Goodcrew Investors — to undertake the programme, which will include rehabilitating the 1 234-metre runway and building infrastructure to house customs and immigration personnel.
“Government has never been against the idea of using available institutions in promoting economic development,” Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Dr Joram Gumbo said during a tour of the aerodrome on Friday last week.
“The people of Manicaland just need to write a letter to their resident Minister Cde Monica Mutsvangwa and advise her of their intentions. She will let us know and we will discuss the matter with all relevant departments and they carry out their plans.”
The Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and other Government officials were part of the tour.
Minister Gumbo said Government always planned to have a big airport in Mutare to enable the smooth flow of products from the province’s vast mineral resources and agricultural produce to external markets.
“This arrangement to which Government is assenting to today is merely a stop-gap measure to allow the province to capitalise on business opportunities while we work on the real airport that will accommodate bigger aircraft,” he said.
“This aerodrome can only accommodate small planes, which means the volumes of business will also be small, but that will be better than not doing anything at all.”
Minister Mutsvangwa lauded Dr Gumbo’s stance, saying the move would help unlock wealth not just for Manicaland, but for the entire country.
“The province has several economic openings, especially in agriculture and mining, which makes it critical for it to have efficient transport networks — air and rail road are some of them,” she said.
“The operationalisation of this aerodrome will essentially boost trade in horticulture and mineral products, while tourism will also benefit immensely.
“We have a lot of tourist attractions that are being grossly underutilised, as tourists from long destinations are shunning them because they do not want to come here by road, so once there is an airport, we will tap into those markets.”
CAAZ general manager Mr David Chawota said rehabilitation and expansion works would allow passenger and business aircraft only.
“No cargo aircraft could be accommodated on the small runway,” he said.
“The runway is still good, but needs rehabilitation while there is need for visual approach systems to be erected, with arrival and departure halls and infrastructure for customs and immigration personnel set up too.
“We need to set up civilian standards because this aerodrome is a military facility so there is need for some adjustments.”
Goodcrew chairman Mr Joseph Sanhanga said they were ready to work on the airport.
“This is what we have been waiting for all along; we are ready so we will do everything needed to get business moving here,” he told the touring party.