The following statement was read out at the event marking the opening of the Tramways Unity Bridge on behalf of MBDA CEO, Ashraf Adams:
Good evening ladies and gentlemen, greetings to the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Council and leadership present here this evening, led by the Executive Mayor Councillor Mongameli Bobani. Greetings to the MBDA Board members and all leaders in business and civil society. I also acknowledge members of staff from both the Municipality and the MBDA, our consultants, emerging contractors present as well as members of the media. Good evening.
My role is to lead a highly professional and competent team of Project Managers responsible for the work we see across the Nelson Mandela Bay. Our work can be seen from New Brighton, Helenvale, Uitenhage, Kings Beach, Korsten and the Inner City.
The construction of this 40-meter new generation materials composite bridge finally reached completion. This bridge project is part of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality approved Baakens Valley Masterplan of 2014 which aims to connect the Inner City and the Baakens Valley.
The completion of this iconic landmark is being achieved at a time when the MBDA recently concluded a major organisational restructuring process as well as battling a lack of funding for 2019/20. The aim of restructuring the organisation was to ensure that we maximize capacity through a semi matrix structure between the key delivery departments that mainly fall under Operations.
These specific delivery functions include engineering, area management, creative industry, psychosocial, quantity survey, town rangers, SMME mentors, community facilitation, facilities management, project management and urban design.
For those who do not follow the local government financial cycle, the local government financial year starts on July 1st and ends on 30th June, so November is the second month of quarter two of the financial year and we are still to receive grant funding for the year owing to an unsigned Service Delivery Agreement.
Even with all those challenges, the MBDA, through fiscal discipline has been able to ride the storm, pay suppliers including SMME’s working on our sites in order to deliver world-class services to Nelson Mandela Bay.
This Baakens bridge represents the best of the MBDA in innovation, creativity and overcoming struggles.
It is not just a big piece of infrastructure, look at how this new materials bridge stands here today, it is an example of what we can do when we plan properly, following the law and still finding innovative ways to support SMME’s so they can grow and flourish.
This bridge took off some months after we signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Nelson Mandela Bay Composites Cluster (NMBCC), an entity funded by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) headquarters here in the Bay. Part of the agreement was that the MBDA would provide in kind support for the international composites conference and NMBCC would assist the MBDA on infrastructure investment which could use locally sourced composite materials. Generally, composites cost marginally more, but those capital costs are offset against enhanced durability. As a result, this is the design that prevailed from a very open public process.
After concluding an intense public campaign through radio, press and social media to solicit suggestions for the name of the bridge, residents need not wait any longer for the outcome, this after an independent panel of adjudicators deliberated on a suitable name for the bridge. Bay citizens heeded the call and the response was overwhelming, with 222 submissions received. These ranged from sports heroes to historical, local and national icons.
The selection panel comprised of Ward 5 Councillor, Sandile Rwexana, PR Councillor, Andries van der Westhuizen, South End Museum Administrator, Collin Abrahams and Mr S. Abraham, a community representative. The chosen name will be unveiled a little later tonight.
What you see before you are partly the result of the work to turn the organisation around. Our staff have shown what dedication, creativity, being human, and being applied to their professional skills can deliver in meeting strategic goals and objectives all within, budget and most, importantly, adding to the multipliers in the local economy.
We believe this development will add another layer of tourism competitiveness, become an access way to opportunities to live, work and play in the Valley and finally stand as a symbol of unity as it links the South End of old with the heart of the City.
MBDA Chairperson, Phil Goduka said, “It is vital for the MBDA to recreate space and places in which people gather and rekindle memories of what the place used to be. Catalytic projects such as the composite bridge, bring communities together. It is therefore vital to our mandate to partner with stakeholder to ensure project success such as this. We are grateful to all role players”
Deputy Mayor, Thsonono Buyeye said; “Bridges are a powerful and significant feature – symbolising a connection. These are a symbol of cooperation and harmony in communities which demonstrates unity and progress. One aim, one claim – that’s what today’s launch represents. The work executed by the MBDA from conceptualization to completion of the bridge must be applauded. The Agency’s determination of executing new developments in and around Port Elizabeth are continuously proving prosperous.”
“This bridge is of a considerable moral value, because it not only connects the South End Community to the CBD, but it restores their dignity. Today is a momentous achievement for the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro as it is inspires a spirit of confidence and hope for our City”
Alan Straton
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