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Business Chamber welcomes investigation into the Bay’s IPTS

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The voice of organised business in Nelson Mandela Bay, Kevin Hustler, CEO of the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber has, on behalf of the Chamber’s members welcomed the investigation into the Bay’s on again off again IPTS.

The NMB Business Chamber said; “The concerns of business and civil society have been vindicated as the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber welcomes the news that Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene’s department will launch a full-scale investigation into Nelson Mandela Bay’s stalled Integrated Public Transport System.

The Business Chamber, along with its partners in the Civil Society Coalition, has been consistently firm and forthright in its call for the utmost transparency in all matters relating to the evidence of wasteful expenditure, the lack of leadership, and a significant amount of mismanagement present within the IPTS project.

The concerns of the Coalition were raised at the highest levels during 2014, including during face-to-face engagements with President Jacob Zuma and Minister Nene in Pretoria, through interactions with the President and his ministerial delegation, on an ongoing basis with the Nelson Mandela Bay City Manager, as well as in person with the Public Protector, Advocate Thuli Madonsela.

The call for efficient and effective action and accountability has been unambiguously clear – we want to see those responsible for fraud and corruption brought to book, and the implementation of measures to ensure that funding is handled responsibly, to the benefit of all citizens of Nelson Mandela Bay.

Punitive and remedial action is urgently needed to bring confidence to both business and communities, as both have been financially abused by the lack of a firm hand on spending and apparent widespread corruption.

Both business and the citizens of our city have been significantly and severely affected by the lack of progress in the development of the IPTS. Business demands now that every effort be made to correct the situation and ensure that an effective system is put in place, or even shut down. We have to consider, also, the cost to the reputation of Nelson Mandela Bay as a city unable to provide even the most basic of effective public transport options for its citizens, to strengthen and support business and keep the wheels of the economy turning.

Millions have been sunk into this project since 2010, with absolutely no tangible benefit to the people of Nelson Mandela Bay.

To continue in this manner is dysfunctional, untenable and unsustainable. The investigation to be led by the office of the Finance Minister has not come a moment too soon, and we look forward to a speedy resolution.”

At the official unveiling of the IPTS buses early in 2010, MyPE snapped then Deputy Mayor, Nancy Sihlwayi, having a quick power nap. We later put that photograph of her together with one of then Executive Mayor, Zanoxolo Waylie at the wheel of the Bay’s smart new bus. Little did we know how UNprophetic the tongue in cheek caption would prove to be!

Mayor Zanoxolo Wayile and Deputy Mayor Nancy Sihlwayi
With the Mayor at the wheel, kick back and relax with forty winks – you are assured of getting to your destination safely.
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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.