Bureaucracy still frustrates opportunities KEVIN MAYHEW IF THE on-again off-again La Mercy airport was the old chestnut for Durban’s transport infrastructure, then its equivalent for Richards Bay must be the John Ross Highway – the main road between Richards Bay and Empangeni. Almost at the same time both projects have been given the green light, bringing to an end a combined 40 years of indecision. Minister of Transport, Jeff Radebe, turned the first sod for the highway earlier this month. “The Port of Richards Bay is South Africa’s premier bulk cargo port and a vitally important national asset,” he said before he turned his hand to the turf. The new highway, to be established at a cost of R350m, will put in place the only impediment to this becoming a reality as it will make access to the port simpler and faster, so it is a step in the right direction. Generally the whole of Richards Bay has exciting developments but some are being hamstrung by time frames for Environmental Impact Assessments or, in some cases, bureaucracy that frustrates those who see the opportunities. Of prime immediate concern is replacing the Marine Services helicopter that crashed earlier this year. Unfortunately the replacement – which has been approved by the National Ports Authority – will only be available next year. This has increased pilot delivery times to and from ships entering and exiting the port from seven minutes to 40 minutes using the pilot boat method the choppers replaced. According to the minutes of the last Zululand Chamber of Business (ZBC) divisional meeting, two independent engineering companies have been contracted to do a full analysis of the Multi-Purpose Terminal to establish operational areas requiring attention. The terminal received a huge capital injection to repair and upgrade existing equipment and infrastructure. Contracts for expanding and improving the port’s internal roads, power supply and fencing to meet the demands of the city’s developments have also been awarded. Richards Bay has one of the cheapest supplies of electricity and industrial water in the world and is ideal for heavy industry being serviced by a port that is young, modern and capable of expansion. Beneficiation will receive a boost when the phase one A of the Industrial Development Zone (IDZ) is completed and already clients are keen to move in. Province has earmarked R300m for its development and it is behind schedule. Bulk products handler, Richards Bay Coal Terminal, is undertaking phase one of an expansion. A bulk liquid handling berth is to be developed along with this Richards Bay Coal Terminal expansion project. There are major investments in the area. Indian giant Tata Steel has identified Richards Bay as its preferred location and its final EIA draft is to be presented to the public soon. Unfortunately, bureaucratic dilly-dallying might cost Richards Bay investment by Grinman, a manufacturer of alloy products such as motor vehicle wheels. They are looking at moving to Maputo where they can tap into the aluminium smelter there.
