Richards Bay Airport relocation affirmed
THE relocation of Richards Bay Airport is estimated to cost about R1-billion.
This is according to uMhlathuze Mayor Xolani Ngwezi, who said the estimated figure was determined after a recent feasibility study.
“The plan is to move the airport from where it is currently located to somewhere along the N2 between eNseleni and Empangeni,” said Ngwezi.
The mayor was speaking to various stakeholders at an IDP roadshow at the municipal chambers in Richards Bay last week, where he unpacked progress on a number of developments being undertaken, as well as those in the pipeline.
Ngwezi said the upgrade is to accommodate both domestic and international travellers, as well as attract investment - a move that will likely boost both the local tourism sector and economy.
"We are now in the process of looking into how we can best fund this project,” he said.
He said the airport will accommodate larger aircrafts and increased connectivity to different parts of the country.
Revealing other city development plans, the mayor said they are looking into an International Convention Centre (ICC) for the city.
“We have completed planning for the
ICC and we will soon be going out into the market to look for potential investors,” he said.
City manager Nkosenye Zulu said the ICC development is among the catalytic projects that have been on the city's agenda for quite a while, but there has been no progress.
"There were efforts in the past to make sure the project comes to fruition.
“There were visits conducted before this administration, to places where there are ICCs, including Durban.
"However, owing to the diverse number of catalytic projects, there has not been much vigour to ensure they were delivered.
"By nature, they are long-term projects that can be delivered if you use the right approach," said Zulu.
He said the project is a priority but called for collaboration with stakeholders such as the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone (RBIDZ).