Construction On Hold Until Environmental Report Is
Complete
At an official design and
construction contract signing with the Ilembe Consortium Wednesday,
the Airports Company of South Africa revealed the cost for a new
international airport, the country's third-largest, the King Shaka
International Airport and Dube TradePort in Durban, was going to be
nearly three times the amount of the original estimates.
The new airport will replace the current Durban International
Airport.
Initial estimates for the project was around $343 million as
announced by Finance Minister Zweli Mkhize in his 2007 provincial
budget speech. The official price tag rang in at more than $932
million, according to the South African Mercury.
The last step is the Environmental Impact Assessment before the
project can begin. Marthinus van Schalkwyk, Environmental Affairs
and Tourism Minister is expected to issue a "record of decision"
soon.
"The signing of the contract between ACSA and Ilembe, together
with the Dube TradePort, represents a landmark moment for this
project and brings to finality who will be building this new
world-class airport," Mkhize said.
"We have reached a point of no return to have this airport built
before 2010, and this is good news for KwaZulu-Natal. We have
overcome many hurdles in this project and are grateful for the
partnership with ACSA on the Dube TradePort.
"When ACSA joined the project, specifications were revised with
the attendant increase in the amount required for the project from
the original estimates to the current figure in order to deliver a
state-of-the-art international airport," he said.
"We are ready to start construction as soon as the required
approvals are in place," said Group Five CEO Mike Upton, a member
of the consortium. Group Five is involved in several other current
large construction projects, including the construction of the more
than $274 million sports stadium in Durban, in preparation for the
2010 soccer World Cup, according to Engineering News.
ACSA's Chief Executive Officer, Monhla Hlahla, said the goal is
to make sure the airport was complete and fully functional by
2010.
"Since late last year, we have been engaging with all relevant
stakeholders to ensure that all legal and governance requirements
are met," she said.
Tourism KwaZulu-Natal Chief Executive Ndabo Khoza also applauded
the contract signing. "This is a really exciting time for the Zulu
Kingdom, with direct international flights on the horizon for
2010," he said.
"International air access has always been a challenge for the
province, with interconnecting flights from other cities, but that
is set to change with this new airport. This is set to bolster both
international leisure and business tourism visitor numbers to
KwaZulu-Natal."
According to Hlahla,
even though the contract is now signed, the company cannot begin
actual construction until the EIA is complete. The contract was
merely an affirmation of the final design, functional and expansion
flexibility, and airport features and had nothing to do with the
EIA.
"ACSA will continue to follow due process in all matters
relating to this project, and the same will apply to the EIA study.
Signing of the contract allows both ACSA and Ilembe to start
certain processes within the construction and design framework,
considering the schedule involved in delivering the airport by
2010," Hlahla said.
Ilembe Consortium chairperson Vusi Mavimbela said it was honored
to be part of the "momentous project" it feels can make significant
contributions to future economic development of the region.
The Ilembe Consortium is comprised of consists a large group of
KwaZulu-Natal empowerment organizations and major shareholders of
WBHO and Total Facilities Management Corporation in addition to
Group Five.
ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (05.02.24)
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