Story by Tichaona Kurewa
THE Airports Company of Zimbabwe (ACZ) has revealed a comprehensive plan to significantly enhance security measures at the country’s airports, starting with Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Harare.
ACZ has solid plans to develop special economic zones around major airports in the country and the security upgrade will bolster this plan.
ACZ recently told ZBC News in Victoria Falls that the planned security upgrade will further reduce operational costs for airlines and passengers.
“What that project also does is it has got an effect of reducing even the insurance premiums for airlines rather than to operate into our airports because the insurers will be knowing that the airport and to be confident that the airport is safe for this no, there is reduced risk insofar as operating in and out of our airports is concerned,” said ACZ CEO, Mr Tawanda Gusha.
The project that will be implemented under the Triple P arrangement is now awaiting relevant authorities approval and has since developed interest among investors.
“So it will just also ensure that all the other incidents that we hear off, issues to do with smuggling, issues to do with drugs will be greatly reduced because it will be a whole integrated system which includes all stakeholders and everybody will be working together. The surveillance will be also set up as you will be having narcotics detection and will be having explosive detection. All those systems are helped to ensure that the airports are not being used as conduits for illicit activities,” he added.
Some of the security upgrades include installation of high-level surveillance system, adoption of drone technology for perimeter surveillance and other latest security intervention that gives the passenger the comfort or the assurance that Zimbabwe’s airports are secure and safe.
The ACZ’s initiative comes in response to evolving security systems and aims to position Zimbabwe’s airports as secure and efficient hubs for international travel.
