DA welcomes Transnet National Ports Authority relocating their headquarters to Nelson Mandela Bay

DA welcomes Transnet National Ports Authority relocating their headquarters to Nelson Mandela Bay

The Democratic Alliance in the Eastern Cape welcomes the relocation of Transnet National Ports Authority to Nelson Mandela Bay.

This is a much-needed boost for Nelson Mandela Bay and the Eastern Cape as a whole.

We trust now that the head office will be based in Nelson Mandela Bay, more emphasis will be placed on the relocation of the Manganese Ore Facility from the PE harbour to Port of Ngqura.

The manganese facility is a proven health hazard to Nelson Mandela Bay residents, with the fine black manganese dust regularly settling over the nearby residential and CBD areas. The high traffic volume of trucks, which often carry uncovered manganese ore, have also had a devastating impact on the city’s roads.

We also look forward to the completion of a Liquid Bulk Terminal in the Port of Ngqura, and the relocation of the existing tank farm from the Port Elizabeth harbour, which is fast approaching its end of life.

This, in turn, will free up prime seafront real estate that could be used to develop a multi-use waterfront facility, and act as a significant tourism boost for the Metro.

Let us not stop dreaming about what Nelson Mandela Bay can become, with the right government in place.

We must pull out all stops to grow our economy and grow jobs. This is what a capable state is all about.

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