Stofile pitches into 'unfounded' reports on PE's World
Cup stadium lagging behind schedule
Sbongile Dimbaza HERALD REPORTER
SPORT and Recreation Minister Makhenkesi Stofile has criticised 'unfounded'
reports that Nelson Mandela Bay was behind schedule with the building
of its 2010 soccer World Cup stadium.
Stofile was speaking at the City Hall in Port Elizabeth as part of the
week-long government imbizo.
During a briefing by metro Mayor Nondumiso Maphazi, the minister said,
she had noted that load-shedding had had no effect on construction.
Maphazi had promised him that Eskom had a special power line to service
the site.
'I am also told that the city has two gas turbines to generate enough
power if there is load-shedding,' Stofile said.
'This is a positive reflection of real commitment.
'Reports from last year and for this year reflect that there was danger
on the stadium schedule.
'I don't know where these negative reports about lack of progress at the
city's stadium come from.'
He also promised that the peripheral beautification of the stadium would
be finished on February 29 next year.
The stadium would be completed within the initially projected time frame.
'I am thrilled by the court ruling on the agreement that the contracted
company should keep to the agreed time frames,' Stofile added.
'Any change in the construction plans could change a lot of things, so
things remain as they were agreed upon.'
The Mandela Bay Development Agency - on behalf of the Nelson Mandela Bay
municipality - had also forwarded a proposal for the appointment of a
'dynamic, professional and multi-disciplinary' stadium operator to manage
the multi-purpose stadium following the end of the 2010 tournament, added
Stofile.
,
11 April 2008
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