Coega will provide opportunities for smaller firms

Leonard Neill
THE COEGA Development Corporation will offer small firms and previously disadvantaged individuals opportunities to provide all the ancillary services in the first two construction phases of the planned Eastern Cape harbour.
"Many large jobs are likely to be cut up into smaller packages to allow smaller operators the chance to submit tenders for the duration of the project," a spokesman for the Department of Trade and Industry told FTW.
"This type of opportunity will arise during the construction phases with accommodation, catering, equipment hire and transport a great chance for the little men to prosper."
While the infrastructure workings will involve major contractors during the first five year period, local concerns will be involved in areas like landscaping, general planning, provision of laboratory services, and waste disposal needs which will occur during the second phase of construction.
"There has been concern among the local population that all the work will go to people or companies beyond their region, but there is ample work available to those prepared to tender for it," said the spokesman.