$4.9 million availed for Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Airport upgrade

THE Government has allocated $4.9 million in the 2017 national budget to further the upgrading   of the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport.

The airport was commissioned by President Mugabe in 2013 following a $25 million facelift.

Presenting the 2017 national budget last week, Finance and Economic Development Minister Patrick Chinamasa said the upgrading of country's international airports will be further pursued next year.

"The budget has allocated $4.9 million for the construction of the air traffic control tower at J M Nkomo International Airport, with an additional $1 million of Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) internal resources being channelled  towards upgrading the sewer system at the airport," he said.

In recent years, CAAZ, which is responsible for regulating and managing Zimbabwe's airspace, has been rehabilitating airports to increase their  capacity.

Last month, President Mugabe commissioned the Victoria Falls International Airport after it underwent a $150 million upgrade.

"The CAAZ will further invest $4.6 million towards upgrading of equipment at Harare International Airport," said Minister Chinamasa.

He added that the Meteorological Services Department had also been allocated $5.5 million for procurement of weather equipment to be installed at Harare, J M Nkomo and Victoria Falls international airports in order to improve safety in aviation operations.