Byo refuses to waive Bob plane costs

via Byo refuses to waive Bob plane costs – New Zimbabwe 03/04/2015

THE Bulawayo City Council has turned down a request by the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) to waive costs incurred in catering for President Robert Mugabe’s plane.

This is according to correspondence between CAAZ and the council.

The situation which necessitated the development is that the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport in Bulawayo is operating with one fire tender which only caters for small aircrafts.

This puts the Presidential plane, a Boeing 767, in danger should there be an emergency while Mugabe is visiting the city.

As such, CAAZ often relies on the council fire tenders to be on standby when Mugabe is in Bulawayo.

However, this arrangement seems to be too costly hence the request by CAAZ to have the charges waived.

In a letter to the council, the airport’s manager whose name was not mentioned pleaded with the local authority to waive the standby charge it imposed.

“On the 17th of December 2014, His Excellency the President of Zimbabwe visited Bulawayo City to officiate at the NUST Graduation Ceremony.

“J.M. Nkomo Airport is currently operating with one fire tender which is inadequate for B737/A320 type of aircraft. The Presidential flight (Boeing 767) has two categories higher than the current cover at the airport, hence the need to request for additional fire cover from Bulawayo City Fire Brigade for the national event.

“It is with the above that your authority is sought to waive the standby charge for the Presidential flight. Attached is a proforma invoice for $4 627.98,” the manager wrote.

Responding to the letter, the city Finance Director Kimpton Ndimande said it was the duty of CAAZ to provide full cover to the airport.

“It is my view that the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe has an obligation to provide the necessary cover for all types of aircraft, including the Boeing 767, allowed to land at the airport.

It is evident that the company went out to outsource due to its failure to provide adequate cover. I suggest that the charges be not waived,” said Ndimande.

The Director of Health Services, Dr Zanele Hwalima chipped in saying: “I do not support the request. It is my opinion that the Civil Aviation Authority should make a provision in their budget to ensure that all types of planes landing at the airport have adequate fire tender coverage in place.”

It was then resolved that the request by CAAZ be turned down and the normal hire charges for the city’s fire tenders be maintained.