According to the government’s Public Works and Infrastructure Minister, Patricia de Lille, the programme aimed at refurbishing Western Cape fishing harbours is expected to be completed as early as next month.
de Lille said this at a media briefing on the implementation of the infrastructure investment plan.
“Phase 1 entails the redevelopment of the 13 proclaimed fishing harbours in the Western Cape currently being implemented by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure which includes the refurbishment and upgrades of the harbours to an 80% operational efficiency.
“The repair programme is just over 97% completed and is expected to be fully completed by March 2022,” she said.
The 13 affected harbours are Kalk Bay, Gordons Bay, Hermanus, Gansbaai, Struisbaai, Arniston, Lamberts Bay, Laaiplek, St Helena Bay, Saldanha Bay, Pepper Bay, Hout Bay and Stilbaai.
“To date, this project has created 894 job opportunities and empowered local SMMEs to the value of R114 million.” She said that in April 2021 she conducted a site visit to the Saldanha Bay harbour project.
“In December 2021, we opened the refurbished multi-purpose centre at the Hermanus harbour which is being utilised by local traders as part of efforts to stimulate local economic growth and create jobs for the surrounding coastal communities.”
De Lille said phase 2 of the Small Harbours SIP includes the new small harbours identified in the Eastern Cape, Northern Cape and the KwaZulu-Natal which is currently in the project preparation stage.
“A number of the projects have been launched and are progressing well especially in the human settlements and transport sectors and we highlighted a number of these with site visits last year.
“We are not just making announcements, we will only launch projects after all processes have been completed such as the financing.
source: Africa Ports & Ships ; 25 February 2022