However, with three months until the event, they are still impoverished and the Chinese have been given most of the work.
“We are still waiting for the jobs we were promised,” said Thabo Ncube (27). “After winning the bid to co-host the event, the government promised us jobs. They said they were going to invest in infrastructural development like roads, airport runways and the construction of more hotels which were supposed to create employment for us. We are still waiting.”
Precious Zulu (30) said it was unfair for the government to let the Chinese work on projects at the expense of locals.
“The airport runway is being constructed by the Chinese while we are not doing anything. Most of these companies working on our roads or hotels are not employing us at all. They are bringing in their own people,” complained Zulu. “The only jobs left for us are prostitution or vending.”
The government recently contracted China Jiangsu International to carry out the $150 million expansion of the Victoria Falls Airport with funds sourced from the Import and Export Bank of China.
Some of the main activities on the expansion programme include construction of a four kilometer runway, a new international terminal building, an upgraded domestic terminal building and a new fire station and control tower.
According to Vice President Joyce Mujuru, about 400 locals are employed as part of the project, with more expected to be absorbed as the scope of work increases.
Philip Moyana (34) thinks the job selection criterion is being done secretly.
“If there are people who are being employed or selected to work then it is not open. I have never come across any announcement that people who are interested in working should register their names with the Chief or local authority,” he said.
A snap survey by The Zimbabwean revealed that a lot of progress was being made on the ground and most roads around Victoria Falls have been tarred.
Prince Dubeko, Chairperson of the Audit Committee who also sits in the Finance and Development Committee, Human Resources Committee, General Purposes and Environment Committees and acting mayor said it was unfortunate that youths and women were being sidelined.
“It is true that a number of youths and women are being left out due to the poor policies. But I would like to add that council has since prioritized the locals and any further recruitment will be done through the local authority,” said Dubeko.
Dubeko is positive that preparations for the UNWTO General Assembly are well on course.
Post published in: News