The VVIP Pavilion under construction at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport is set to be completed by the end of July 2024, according to Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Honourable Felix Tapiwa Mhona.
The Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Honourable Felix Tapiwa Mhona, was yesterday accompanied by the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality, Honourable Barbara Rwodzi, the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Honourable Chido Sanyatwe and Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development Honourable Joshua Sacco on a tour of the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport focused on the progress of the nearly completed VVIP Pavilion Lounge.
The VVIP Pavilion will play a crucial role in the upcoming SADC Summit in August, with the capacity to host heads of state from across the region.
“I have invited His Excellency President Dr Cde E. D Mnangagwa to use the VVIP Pavilion facility to host the heads of state on the upcoming SADC Summit in August. This is because it is a state-of-the-art facility that will represent our country in the best possible light,”said Honourable Felix Tapiwa Mhona.
Minister Mhona remarked that the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport has experienced tremendous growth in recent years, and that the government is dedicated to further improving its facilities and services.
He stated that their ultimate goal is to make the airport a world-class hub, providing easy access to destinations across the continent and beyond.
“The Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years. We are committed to making it one of the best airports in the region and the continent, and a gateway to the world.
“Zimbabwe is now fully capable of accommodating wide-bodied aircraft, such as the Airbus A380,” declared Minister Mhona. This opens up tremendous opportunities for the tourism industry, and we invite the world to come and experience all that our country has to offer,” said Minister Mhona.
According to engineer Owen Nyama, the VVIP Pavilion is nearing completion, and is expected to be fully operational in the near future and the Pavilion will feature a variety of modern amenities and facilities, including a VIP lounge, an airport hotel, and a gym section.
“At this stage, we are looking at an 85 to 90% completion rate. The surface priming is the final stage of our work, and the concrete is already in place. All drainage work has also been finished.
“The VVIP Pavilion will soon be ready for use,” said Engineer Nyama. It will feature a range of modern amenities and facilities, including a VIP lounge, an airport hotel, a gym, and much more,” he said.
Engineer Nyama added that the VVIP Pavilion will have remote parking to accommodate aircraft that are dropping off visitors which will be located next to the existing apron near the airport building.
Addressing the media at the same event, Hon Rwodzi praised the collaboration between the three ministries in achieving the positive results expected by the government.
“We are here at the RGMI Airport today with Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality industry as a whole government approach that we are encouraged by his Excellency Dr Cde E. D Mnangagwa who is always saying work together so that we can realise good results and the performance that is expected by the government.”
Hon Rwodzi gratefully acknowledged that the airport’s facilities are of the highest quality, and that they reflect positively on Zimbabwe’s brand.
“Today, we toured the airport as a ministry, together with our stakeholders, to ensure that everyone who arrives in the country is greeted by our advertising space.
“As a ministry, we are identifying ways to advertise and promote our destination, Zimbabwe, and to establish a brand that reflects our country’s values,” Hon Rwodzi stated.
Hon Rwodzi expressed excitement about the developments at the RGMI Airport, which will help to promote tourism in Zimbabwe.
“The developments at the RGMI Airport are a key part of the Zim bhoo campaign, which aims to promote tourism in Zimbabwe,” Hon Rwodzi declared.
Hon Mhona noted that he is working closely with other ministries to adopt a whole-business approach.
“I have heard from His Excellency that silo mentality is not acceptable. We must act with speed and work with our fellow counterparts in the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Home Affairs to demonstrate that we are a united government,” said Hon Mhona.
The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development is involved in various infrastructural development projects across the country to improve accessibility and connectivity.
