19 February 2007
On Friday, 9 February 2007, the Bhisho High Court ruled in favour of the
Department of Roads and Transport in a case which involved an air service
contract that was awarded to a Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) company Ntinga
Aviation in October 2006.
Acting judge of the High Court, PC van der Byl, dismissed the application by
East London Air Services with costs.
The Department of Roads and Transport in the Eastern Cape has always
believed that it had followed the correct procedures in awarding the contract
in line with government procurement policies.
This ruling further strengthens our stance with regard to the transformation
of the aviation sector in line with the White Paper on Civil Aviation and our
own Blue Skyway Aviation Strategy.
The strategy which was introduced by MEC Thobile Mhlahlo seeks to enhance
the utilisation of Bhisho and Mthatha airports in order to complement the
broader provincial socio-economic growth and development strategy.
According to the national policy (White Paper on Civil Aviation of March
2005), government should not be involved with operating aircrafts but should
encourage private sector involvement.
Government, however, remains responsible for ensuring that airports and air
services contribute to the socio-economic development of the area.
This policy further assists in the reduction of financial costs on the
provincial government for the running of airports and air services.
The Blue Sky Way Aviation Strategy further seeks to provide solutions to the
public transport challenges of the province as we prepare for 2010 FIFA World
Cup and beyond.
Through this strategy, the intention is to open up opportunities for the
Historically Disadvantaged Individuals (HDIs) in the aviation sector.
Since last week, the contractor (Ruwacon Construction) from Free State has
started with the renovations at the Bhisho Airport which cost R68 million.
These renovations include:
* terminal building
* accommodation for 43 Air School
* air hanger
* navigation aids
* runway
* fire stations
* control tower
* civil works (electrical equipment, parking bays, drains etc)
* the perimeter security fence and upgrading of the adjacent patrol road to an
all weather road
* necessary staff to be re-skilled in the relevant areas.
The instrument landing system worth R7 million has been ordered from the
United States (US) and is expected to arrive by ship in April 2007.
A fire engine worth R4,9 million has been ordered and is expected to arrive
in March 2007.
Mthatha Airport
Two new fire tenders have been purchased to increase the airport's emergency
capacity and improve its grades from four to six.
The national Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism has a budget of
R28 million for the renovations of this airport and consultants have already
been appointed.
The renovations include:
* new parking area for buses and car hire
* all buildings to be repaired
* new intersection linking with the R61
* existing parking to be converted to a pay parking facility.
More discussions and consultations will take a priority in establishing a
second airline to service the Johannesburg to Mthatha route.
An important goal will be the linking of Port Elizabeth to Mthatha via
Bhisho with the service geared for faster movement between the three areas,
which have been identified for the 2010 World Cup.
A future link to Durban from Mthatha is envisaged as soon as the correct
type of service is developed.
I would like to further indicate that there is no bad blood between the
department and East London Air Services, as we still continue to utilise their
services.
Contact:
Ncedo Kumbaca
Spokesperson for the MEC
Cell: 082 44 22 388 or 073 2966 569
Issued by: Department of Safety, Liaison, Roads and Transport, Eastern Cape
Provincial Government
19 February 2007
