MBOMBELA – The preliminary work on the proposed International Conference Centre (ICC) to be built in Mpumalanga is due for completion this year. This is according to the MEC for economic development, Mr Eric Kholwane. He was responding to questions posed by Mr Collen Sedibe, EFF MPL, during an oral answering session in legislature on Friday.
According to Kholwane, the suitability of identified sites for the ICC needs to be confirmed by feasibility studies. “Most big projects take a few years to complete due to their size and complexity.” He added that a multi-year investment would be needed to complete the project, so no budget had been earmarked for it as yet.
Kholwane said the job opportunities which would be created through the ICC’s construction and operational phases, had also not been quantified as yet. He added that the Preferential Procurement Act was already being implemented and that the participation of local construction companies had to be prioritised in all projects, including the University of Mpumalanga and the Fresh Produce Market.
“The empowerment of local businesses is at the heart of radical transformation.” He added that local companies could not exclusively be given preference above those from outside the province.
Regarding the Fresh Produce Market, agriculture MEC, Mr Andries Gamede said R51,3 million had been spent on procuring the land on which the market was to be situated. He was responding to questions by Mr Bosman Grobler, DA MPL.
The MEC said the land was transferred to government’s ownership on April 11. The sugar-cane farmers currently occupying the land were also paying a rental fee to the government for use of the land until the harvest. Gamede added that R1,7 million had been spent for Eskom to establish a bulk electricity line to the site. He said R31 million had been earmarked this financial year to implement bulk electricity, water and sewerage services.
“A total of R31 million will be transferred to the Mpumalanga Economic Development Agency (MEGA), which is the implementing agent for these services,” he said. “We are of the view that the market is in progress.”
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