Harare targets to construct state of the art storage facilities and Aviation Services industry near the Robert Mugabe International Airport
By Kudzai Jakachira
Zimbabwe will set up an industrial site which will include storage facilities near the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport under
a proposed master plan which seeks to extend Epworth high density
suburb.
a proposed master plan which seeks to extend Epworth high density
suburb.
The envisaged project is contained in a proposed master plan presented
by the Epworth Local Board to the Harare Minister of State for Provincial Affairs document.
by the Epworth Local Board to the Harare Minister of State for Provincial Affairs document.
The country’s main airport has no storage facilities and has very few players providing aviation services, and the move to identify space to set up an airport industrial area will go a long way in easing business for airliners, importers and traders in need of storage
facilities.
facilities.
Epworth Local Authority Town Secretary Dr Wilton Mhanda confirmed the
development saying once the proposed master plan is approved, Epworth
will be establishing a multi-million dollar airport industry.
development saying once the proposed master plan is approved, Epworth
will be establishing a multi-million dollar airport industry.
The storage facilities will be of immense benefit as this will cut costs for airliners and trade operators due to its proximity to the airport.
“The Epworth Local Authority prepared a proposed master plan document which was presented to the Harare Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and
Devolution which awaits approval. The master plan document is proposing to establish an industrial site to put up aviation services
and storage facilities which will carter for airliners, close to local qirport,” Dr Mhanda said.
Devolution which awaits approval. The master plan document is proposing to establish an industrial site to put up aviation services
and storage facilities which will carter for airliners, close to local qirport,” Dr Mhanda said.
The Epworth Local Authority boss said it was very important for
aviation players to consider factors such as location, security, access and the specific needs of their businesses that includes the
need for bonded warehousing or specialized facilities for aviation
fuel.
aviation players to consider factors such as location, security, access and the specific needs of their businesses that includes the
need for bonded warehousing or specialized facilities for aviation
fuel.
“The development will benefit airliners and traders who will be transporting goods by air which need storage as it will ease their way of doing business by cutting costs and avoiding traffic risks because
the industry will be located near the airport,” said Dr Mhanda.
the industry will be located near the airport,” said Dr Mhanda.
A master plan document is a comprehensive, long-term blue print for future growth encompassing land use, infrastructure, housing,
transportation and other key areas.
transportation and other key areas.
The development of a master plan involves several stages, including community engagement, data gathering and analysis, option
identification, strategy development, and implementation planning. The development of a master plan is often guided by national policies and directives, such as the “Call to Action – No Compromise to Service Delivery” blueprint and the Zimbabwe National Human Settlements
Policy.
identification, strategy development, and implementation planning. The development of a master plan is often guided by national policies and directives, such as the “Call to Action – No Compromise to Service Delivery” blueprint and the Zimbabwe National Human Settlements
Policy.
Dr Mhanda said the plan to set up an airport industry is a milestone achievement for Harare and the country as far as economic development
is concerned as this development will advance infrastructural
development while at the same time attracting international investment
thereby creating employment for locals.“This expansion project of Epworth, if approved by government, will go a
long way in improving infrastructural development in the country and a
lot of international investors will be wanting to invest in this project by opening industries aligned with the aviation services. This initiative will also give our local people chances of
employment,” said Mhanda.
is concerned as this development will advance infrastructural
development while at the same time attracting international investment
thereby creating employment for locals.“This expansion project of Epworth, if approved by government, will go a
long way in improving infrastructural development in the country and a
lot of international investors will be wanting to invest in this project by opening industries aligned with the aviation services. This initiative will also give our local people chances of
employment,” said Mhanda.
Some councils are exploring the use of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems like the Local Authority Digital System (LADS) to enhance data management, revenue collection, and other key functions related to master plan implementation.
