President Zuma touches down in Bay
Zululand Observer Editor, DAVE SAVIDES sits down with President Jacob Zuma.
THERE is no reason why the Port of Richards Bay should be denied a fully functional container terminal.
That was the response of both President Jacob Zuma and Premier Senzo Mchunu to appeals from a select group of business leaders during a round table discussion on Tuesday evening.
The meeting, arranged and hosted by City of uMhlathuze Mayor, Cllr Elphas Mbatha, was held to allow corporate hierarchy to voice their pressing business concerns, foremost of which was the need for a container terminal.
‘The needs of business should dictate; all ports have container terminals, and if that’s what business wants, that’s what you should have,’ said Zuma.
‘We need to promote all the business we can, and unlock all of Richards Bay’s potential.’
‘Their (Transnet National Ports Authority’s) stated position – that Richards Bay is designed merely as a bulk port – is not government policy,’ said Premier Mchunu, while President Zuma called it ‘a static point of view’ and ‘a strange statement’.
The dry dock and IDZ-related issues were among a host of subjects raised, and which were promised serious response.
Premier Mchunu expressed the province’s gratitude for the opportunity to meet the business delegation and confirmed further, regular engagements would take place after the elections in May.
President Zuma made the same commitment, saying he would ensure that senior government representatives would engage with business on the needs and problems raised.
