News / Regional
Victoria Falls in helipad relocation controversy
23 Feb 2013 at 15:47hrs | Views
The Ministry of Transport, Communication and Infrastructural Development has distanced itself from issues to do with relocation of the Victoria Falls helipad to another site which has become controversial ahead of the UNWTO General Assembly.
The relocation of the helipad comes at a time when there are speculations that the relocation is meant to pave way for an exhibition park which will be used during the UNWTO General Assembly in August.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport Communication and Infrastructural Development, Mr Munesu Munodawafa said the relocation has nothing to do with the UNWTO General Assembly and has a lot to do with the company involved and the Ministry of Local Government, Rural and Urban Development through the Victoria Falls Town Council, adding that from the aviation point of view, the relocation would be necessitated by its proximity to Elephant Hills Hotel and issues related to noise pollution.
Victoria Falls Town Mayor, Councillor Nkosilathi Jiyane said the land on which the helipad is currently located belongs to Victoria Falls Town Council on behalf of the Ministry of Local Government, Rural and Urban Development.
Zambezi Helicopters Public Relations Manager, Clement Mukwasi said his company has complied with all aviation requirements and expressed disappointment at the three months notice that his organisation received from the town council, stating that the company should have vacated the premises by the 31st of March.
It is currently not clear where the company will be operating from after that date but there are already fears that the relocation might temporarily affect the employees and tourists since the flights are some of the most popular activities in the town.
The relocation of the helipad comes at a time when there are speculations that the relocation is meant to pave way for an exhibition park which will be used during the UNWTO General Assembly in August.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport Communication and Infrastructural Development, Mr Munesu Munodawafa said the relocation has nothing to do with the UNWTO General Assembly and has a lot to do with the company involved and the Ministry of Local Government, Rural and Urban Development through the Victoria Falls Town Council, adding that from the aviation point of view, the relocation would be necessitated by its proximity to Elephant Hills Hotel and issues related to noise pollution.
Victoria Falls Town Mayor, Councillor Nkosilathi Jiyane said the land on which the helipad is currently located belongs to Victoria Falls Town Council on behalf of the Ministry of Local Government, Rural and Urban Development.
Zambezi Helicopters Public Relations Manager, Clement Mukwasi said his company has complied with all aviation requirements and expressed disappointment at the three months notice that his organisation received from the town council, stating that the company should have vacated the premises by the 31st of March.
It is currently not clear where the company will be operating from after that date but there are already fears that the relocation might temporarily affect the employees and tourists since the flights are some of the most popular activities in the town.
Source - zbc
