The Zimbabwe government has brushed aside objections by Parliament to the construction of a new airport in Harare and says it will go ahead with the project no matter what decisions MPs take.
There had been severe embarrassment for the government when Parliament refused to ratify the R400 million in loans needed and told the government that the money could be found more cheaply elsewhere. Attempts and threats by cabinet ministers to get the MPs to change their minds had no effect.
It is understood that transport minister Simon Moyo has ordered his officials to arrange the loans, presumably with the backing of President Mugabe.
The airport is not likely to be ready for another five years.
By Martin Rushmere
