Caught in the tide

But newly appointed port manager Thami Ntshingila, who will oversee the R21,3bn project, says he will do all he can to address the concerns of people and businesses in the environment that will be affected.

Last week Tau Morwe, CE of Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA), gave broad details of the port infrastructure expansion. Chief among the projects are the construction of two dig-out ports at the site of the old Durban International Airport and at Bayhead. This will considerably expand the container terminal which is already handling 6800 containers a day. At present the port of Durban handles around 80Mt of cargo a year worth more than R100bn.

But the dig-out ports are also where the most social damage will be caused. Representatives of the suburb of Clairwood say they will have to move to make way for the expanded harbour and their 100year-old residential area will be wiped off the map.

Many small and large businesses, including Toyota, will be affected, as will the Engen and Sapref oil refineries. The TNPA says no people or businesses will be forced to move, but the widening of roads for container trucks and oil tankers will effectively force people and businesses out of the area. As an incentive, businesses that do move are being offered cheaper municipal rates as well as cheaper water and electricity at new sites. Businesses that don't move will probably have their rates and other utility costs increased.

Ntshingila, who officially takes up his new post on September 1 when he moves to Durban from Richards Bay, where he is port manager, says he is well aware of the concerns of people who might have to move. "With any development like this you have to take into consideration the concerns of people living in the environment. I will be looking at this and trying to find a way that leads to the betterment of the community. We can find a position together."

Transnet bought the old Durban airport site from the Airports Company SA for R1,8bn. The intention always was to expand the container terminal capacity, which at peak seasons has container ships queuing up outside the harbour. Increased container cargo will raise capital for both the local and national economy.

Source: Financial Mail via I-NET Bridge