Dig-out port: ‘We want more’

MORE report-backs and community participation is needed according to groups that attended a meeting on the Strategic Infrastructure Project (SIP2) and the proposed dig-out port, hosted by the South Durban Basin (SDB) Area Based Management (ABM).

The local economic development workshop focused on opportunities associated with the Durban dig-out port (DDOP) and was attended by local stakeholders.

According to the SDB ABM, the outcomes include the formation of strategic partnerships between government, the private sector and communities to ensure interaction occurs that communicates employment and business opportunities available. The Prospecton Business Forum (PBF) hopes this means local industry will be provided with opportunities to develop with SIP2 within the grand economic potential of the entire programme.

“The PBF would like to see more focused reporting on the actual economic opportunities that are current as well as in the short to medium term so that South Durban-based companies are exposed and can engage.

We must ensure South Durban business is not side-lined or simply receives the ‘crumbs’ but participates in the lucrative aspects of SIP2 and increases the local skills base of residents as well as grows local companies to compete and participate nationally and internationally as a result of their participation in the SIP2 projects that includes the DDOP, which is one aspect,” said PBF chairman, Mark van Wyk.

He believes this should be advertised timeously so members have sufficient time to engage.

At the meeting, Transnet’s executive manager for integrated planning, group planning and sustainability, Naomi Tsebe said: “We are aware there are great expectations from the opportunities arising from DDOP and we hope through this engagement and those that follow, we will begin to address needs and expectations and close this gap.”

The South Durban Community Environmental Alliance’s (SDCEA) co-ordinator, Desmond D’Sa said the information provided at the meeting was not worth the paper it was written on as it lacked substance.

“Other developments such as the Clairwood Racecourse development, back of port and other developments relating to the bigger picture were not included. SIP2 only talks about the development of the dig-out port and berths 203 to 205 but nothing incorporating the Operation Phakisa issues, housing which is a major problem, tolls, illegal trucking in residential areas, to name a few.

There are no environmental departments included to be part of the discussions so there will be no input from that sector in protecting our environment and no community aspect is included,” said D’Sa.

“The PBF is of the firm view that the formal local economic development and CSI targets in terms of the B-BBEE codes of good practice as well as the respective Transnet and eThekwini Municipality transformational targets be published as they apply to each aspect of the DDOP as well as the related SIP2 initiatives,” added van Wyk.

When these targets are made available he said the PBF hopes to be able to engage with Transnet and the municipality to ensure local business is “capacitated to qualify and secure an equitable slice of economic opportunity”.

SDB ABM acting senior manager, Eurakha Singh said a lot of work still has to be done, so the impact can be felt in the lives of SDB people.

“This workshop is a very important one, as it has started a vital conversation that is close to the hearts of the people who live in the SDB – that of possible jobs, skills development and employment opportunities. We are hopeful that concrete opportunities do arise from this process of engagement,” said ward 68 ward committee LED convener, Lois Enock.