Nelson Mandela Bay businesses show support for Karpowerships
LOCAL businesses in Nelson Mandela Bay anticipate further engagement with the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) and the Coega Development Corporation (CDC) following a motorcade in support of the Karpowership alternative energy project.
The Integrated Coastal Energy Alliance, under the leadership of the Nelson Mandela Bay Local Business Committee (LBC), staged a motorcade on Wednesday in support of the Risk Mitigation Independent Power Producers Procurement Programme, and in particular Karpowership SA Coega, Karpowership SA Richards Bay and Karpowership SA Saldanha.
They handed over a memorandum to both Coega and Transnet representatives, in which they demanded, among other things, the conclusion of the environmental impact assessment appeal process, more local investments to unlock more opportunities in maritime, power, construction, transport and new gas opportunities.
They also called on Transnet and Coega to implement a strategy to benefit local businesses.
Secretary-general of the LBC, Masixole Mashelele, said the demonstration was a success and they anticipated further feedback with both entities within seven days.
According to Mashelele, the Karpowership project has received the community’s support as it has been the “only preferred bidder that has engaged the local communities and tabled clear presentations as to how local communities would take part and benefit from the project”.
Mashelele said the community organisations saw the project as a crucial driver towards attracting investment in local communities and fostering much-needed economic change.
“We see the demonstration as a success.
“It was well attended and the memorandum of understanding was handed over and signed by both Coega and Transnet.
“We see this project as a major opportunity, especially for job opportunities for local small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) and exempted micro enterprises (EME).
“The unemployment rate in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality is almost at 50%, which is a significant number, but if the Karpowership projects are successful, it will mean greater job opportunities for locals and our fishing communities who have also come on board with their support,” said Mashelele.
CDC spokesperson Ayanda Vilakazi confirmed they had received the memorandum.
“We have noted the contents of the memorandum, the bulk of which relates to the IPP programme and Karpowership project, which resides with Transnet.
“At this stage, the CDC is still studying the contents of the memorandum before any decision is taken,” said Vilakazi.
Transnet had not responded to questions by deadline.