Port of Durban issues not taken seriously by ANC led council

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) December 15, 2010 -- On 21st November 2010 there were media reports regarding statements made by Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) Chairman Captain Salvatore Sarno made with regards to the productivity of Durban’s port and the fact that MSC might have to look at other options.

Taking note of this, on 22nd November 2010 the Democratic Alliance members of the eThekwini Economic Development Committee requested of Deputy Mayor Logie Naidoo, the committee chairperson, an urgent meeting of the Economic Development Committee with invitations to Captain Salvatore Sarno, senior Transnet officials and a senior official from the provincial Economic Development MEC’s office (as they said they were unaware of any problem) so as to plot a way forward and avert a crisis. To date the DA caucus has not even received a reply to this request.

“When you consider the Port of Durban off-loads 18-20 containers an hour, Mauritius which is much smaller than Durban off-loads 20 containers an hour and Antwerp, which is of similar size and capacity to Durban off-loads 95 containers an hour.” Said Councillor Rick Crouch, a DA member of the Economic Development Committee “And then consider that recent reports from the Port Regulator say that the Port of Durban ranked as one of the most expensive ports in the world, you have to wonder what is going on with the management of this port, the question should be asked as to why does our municipality, and the Economic Development Committee in particular not appear to consider this an important issue” Cllr Crouch went on to say.

Councillor Dean Macpherson, a DA member of the Economic Development Committee said, “It is extremely disappointing but not unexpected to see the lack of interest from the ANC led Economic Development committee on the request of the DA to hold an extraordinary meeting to discuss the pressing issue of the port. This sort of attitude is a testament to the attitude that the ANC has to businesses and real, sustained economic development in the city of Durban. For as long as this type of lack luster way of dealing with economic development remains, the flight of business's will continue which will severely hamstring the municipalities ability to create jobs for those that need them most, the poor.

In my view, the ANC led committee should be ashamed of themselves for not responding to the DA and only serves to highlight the contempt the ANC has for the official opposition in eThekwini.”

CONTACT:
Councillor Rick Crouch
eThekwini Municipality
Economic Development Committee ember
(073) 418-6996
councillor@ward93.co.za

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