Port users slam Transnet ruling

UTTER DESPAIR - and where to turn to next? That’s how Tony Norton, head of Deloitte & Touche’s maritime division and chairman of the National Port Users Forum (Npuf), described his feelings about Transnet’s continued hold on the National Ports Authority (See story on left). “This separation is something we’ve been fighting 14-years for. and especially hard for the last four.” Norton’s automatic reaction is that you can’t leave it to Transnet to decide when it’s appropriate to separate from its “cash cow”. “It’s utterly ridiculous. What it means is the NPA continues to fund the inefficiencies of the rest of Transnet.” He is also grieved that the lack of investment in the ports is likely to continue. “Because it’s openly stated by Transnet that they need the money for other purposes,” Norton said. He also hits at the other bone of contention in the present circumstances surrounding the finalisation of the NPA Bill: Who will be the port regulator? The private sector has been agitating for this to be an autonomous, independent position - but the NPA has determinedly stated that it should remain its responsibility. “It’s again ridiculous to believe that two companies from the same operation - even when separated - will stop the habits of the last 14 years,” Norton told FTW. Given that, he added: “The port regulator has to stay neutral - as it said in the original bill before these latest appeals for amendments from the parastatals.” As Norton saw it, these two operations have assisted each other “hand-over-fist” for the last four years against the private sector. “Why,” he asked, “does the government expect us to believe anything different will happen on the day NPA is released from Transnet?” But, according to Nolene Lossau, executive director of the SA Shippers Council (SASC), there’s worry where none is needed. Her feeling is that Minister of Public Enterprises, Jeff Radebe, is aware of what is going on - and she doesn’t think Transnet will hold on to the NPA for long. Two to three years is the whisper from authoritative sources, she suggested.