Mutare presses for modern airport

The Manicaland Business Action Group (MBAG) has joined other business lobby groups and politicians from the eastern border city in pressing for the immediate construction of a modern airport in the region.

The city currently has an aerodrome and the feeling among politicians and lobby groups is that Mutare is the odd one out since other major metropolis such as Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru and Masvingo operate functional airports.

In fact, even small towns such as Chiredzi, Hwange, Kariba and Victoria Falls operate airports namely the Buffalo Range Airport, Hwange National Park Airport, Kariba International Airport and Victoria Falls Airport.

MBAG chairman, Charles Tavazadza, said Mutare cannot be classified as a modern city when it does not have an airport to boost investment opportunities, increase tourist inflows, generate employment and improve the stock of infrastructure for the eastern border city.

"This is something that has been said (by politicians) for a long time. We are the fourth largest city but we don't have an airport. It does not make logical sense," he said, adding that government should layout a framework for the construction of the airport as part of its Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation document.

"As a business grouping, we know of people in Mozambique who are eager to tour the majestic resorts in the province but they can't because we don't have an airport. Tourists would rather fly here directly and then drive to Vumba, Nyanga or any resort of their interests rather than landing in Harare and then drive long hours to Mutare."

The lobby by MBAG for the construction of an airport in Mutare follows similar calls by the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce president, Hlanganiso Matangaidze.

Politicians in Manicaland Province have also been calling for the same for years now.

Among the most vocal political figures has been the Minister of State for Manicaland Province Chris Mushohwe, the Minister of Presidential Affairs Didymus Mutasa and Zanu-PF provincial secretary for administration Kenneth Saruchera.

Henry Nemaire, Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries vice president, said Mutare was losing potential revenue because of the unavailability of an airport that would bring travelling efficiency to investors intending to assess opportunities in the timber or diamond sector.

"Modern tourists want to fly to a resort. They don't want to land in Harare and then have to drive to Mutare and face the constant hustles of police roadblocks along the way," he said.