Pretoria - Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality City Manager Mpilo Mbambisa has confirmed that the municipality is still waiting for the proposal on the Fish Farm from the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), before it could pronounce the municipality's stance thereon.
"We have noted the keen public and stakeholder interest in this matter, it is therefore important for us that we comprehensively study the fish farm proposal from DAFF, and all its elements and factors, before making a determination as to whether we support the investment or not, in its current form," Mbambisa said.
"To this end, I have requested representation from DAFF, who will hopefully be able to present their proposal to a full sitting of the Executive Mayoral Committee, where my management team will also be present, so that we may be able to interact with the merits and demerits of the proposal."
He said once this happens and proper objective assessments are made of all factors including, but not limited to, local economic development, tourism, aquaculture, and relevant case studies, the municipality will then provide its input and analysis to DAFF, as well as the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA).
Mbambisa confirmed that his office had been interacting with the DEA on the Appeals Process. The DEA will today convened a stakeholder and public engagement session in the Bay, prior to which they met with Mbambisa.
"Yes, we are interacting with the DEA on this matter - the understanding is that we, as the Municipality, should take about a month in which to receive, engage with and study the DAFF proposal, before submitting our institutional opinion," he said.
Protest by housing SME contractors
With regard to the protest by the housing Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) contractors outside the City Hall in Nelson Mandela Bay claiming that they have not been paid for work done, Mbambisa said his office is dealing with the matter to ensure a "speedy and positive outcome for all concerned".
"We fully understand their plight as developing contractors, and it is our every intention to ensure that they get paid on time, every time, without any hiccups. Unfortunately, the province has changed the system of releasing funds to municipalities and this, in turn, has meant that we have not yet received the funds (from province) to pay them.
"But I am taking the bull by the horns on this matter, and am engaging with our Executive Director for Human Settlements as well as the Chief Financial Officer, so that we reach a speedy resolution," Mbambisa said. – SAnews.gov.za
