-
Mahikeng Airport terminal in North West (2016).
Public logistics infrastructure in the North West is in a critical state, says Consulting Engineers South Africa (CESA).
According to CESA, functional transportation systems including much-needed upgrades to roads, railways and airports are needed to position the agriculture and mining-dependent province as an import and export hub.
The CEO of CESA, Chris Campbell, says such transport deficiencies have far-reaching economic impacts.
This comes as the Mmabatho Airport in Mahikeng remains largely unused after a R400 million SA Express tender was unscrupulously spent and the airport’s potential as a cargo port was also wasted.
“The fact that we have on our doorstep here in Mahikeng an airport which was functional, which can be grown to not only service commuter passengers but also the transport of goods and services. Our neighbouring countries are on the border and certainly one can look at Mahikeng as an airport itself as a hub for the export and even import of goods that then can be transported inland,” says Campbell.
Meanwhile, the provincial Department of Community Safety and Transport Management says it has accepted bids for the management and maintenance of the airport as well as the Pilanesberg International Airport.
“The bidders had requested more time given the technicality of the requirements and I gave a directive that we must extend until the 22nd of February,” elaborates MEC Wessels Morweng.
“So we are calling all capable people to come and partner with us to resuscitate Mahikeng airport which will in the main be used as a cargo, and also to resuscitate Pilanesberg airport which we want to use for passenger lifting so it’s for that reason that transport is very important in enabling the economy,” he adds.
Call for infrastructure renovation in the North West province:
