News / National
CAAZ needs $32 million for airports upgrade
05 Nov 2015 at 14:20hrs | Views
The Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) requires US$31.7 million for the rehabilitation of the air traffic control and communication systems at the country's major airports.
This came out during a tour of the Victoria Falls International Airport Expansion Project by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Transport and Infrastructure Development.
The aviation body also needs another US$4 million to rehabilitate the runway at Harare International Airport and another allocation to undertake incomplete phases at the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport.
The Chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Transport and Infrastructure Development Dexter Nduna says treasury needs to urgently allocate money to ensure that the current equipment does not reach a stage where aviation systems compromise the safety of the passengers.
"We are currently flying yes, but we need to augment our air traffic control systems. We do not want to leave it to chance to our pilot which we are at the moment, so we have started on a good footing on this one. What is of more concern in this infrastructure is the issue of fire tenders; we must make sure we have enough fire tenders at this airport," said Nduna.
Meanwhile, the contractors at Victoria Falls International Airport are busy putting final touches on the new international terminal, ramp facilities and air traffic control tower which are expected to be operational on the 23rd of this month.
Both domestic and international passengers will move to the new terminal to allow the current one to undergo refurbishment.
This came out during a tour of the Victoria Falls International Airport Expansion Project by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Transport and Infrastructure Development.
The aviation body also needs another US$4 million to rehabilitate the runway at Harare International Airport and another allocation to undertake incomplete phases at the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport.
"We are currently flying yes, but we need to augment our air traffic control systems. We do not want to leave it to chance to our pilot which we are at the moment, so we have started on a good footing on this one. What is of more concern in this infrastructure is the issue of fire tenders; we must make sure we have enough fire tenders at this airport," said Nduna.
Meanwhile, the contractors at Victoria Falls International Airport are busy putting final touches on the new international terminal, ramp facilities and air traffic control tower which are expected to be operational on the 23rd of this month.
Both domestic and international passengers will move to the new terminal to allow the current one to undergo refurbishment.
Source - zbc
