Port Elizabeth's 2010 Soccer World Cup stadium has taken a step closer to reality with the naming of the 14 consultants and contractors set to build the facility.

The Nelson Mandela Bay municipality's tender evaluation committee has handed in its list of preferred companies that tendered for various jobs regarding the construction of the R711-million stadium.

Final authorisation on all tenders below R10-million will come from the municipality's adjudication committee, while tenders above R10-million will be approved by the municipal manager. Construction of the proposed multi-purpose stadium to be built in North End has been divided into 14 different work packages to be undertaken by different contractors.

This is to give local contractors and consultants an opportunity to also get involved in the project.

The tender evaluation committee has recommended that the main tender, for stadium construction and architecture and valued at R114-million, be awarded to Port Elizabeth company Dominic Bonisse Architects/ABA, in association with Germany's GMP International consortium (60%) and the Ngonyama Okpanum Associates cc/GAPP Consortium (40%). GMP International is the same firm of architects that did the "detail design" of the stadium, which has already been approved by council.

The names of the preferred companies are included in a report by the tender evaluation committee, a copy of which has been leaked to The Herald. About 52 companies tendered for the contracts.

The report says the objectives of the evaluation were to allow as many firms as possible the opportunity to become involved in the project, to ensure there is a transfer of skills and that at least 40% of the work is given to Eastern Cape companies.

"All aspects relating to the municipality?s preferential procurement system were checked to ensure that the points scoring was a true reflection of the various companies' proposals," says the tender evaluation report.

Acting municipal manager Vuyo Zitumane confirmed yesterday that the recommendations of the tender evaluation committee would go to the adjudication committee, and that tenders above R10-million would be referred to her for final approval.

The municipality is still awaiting funding from the national treasury for the construction of the stadium. The municipality approved a financial contribution of R95-million towards the project, which will cover the preliminary work and the appointment of consultants.

The report from the tender evaluation committee states that an application for the amount of R650-million was submitted to the transport department for roads infrastructure and public transport, and the first allocation of R53-million has been received. The remainder will be released in portions.

It still remains uncertain as to when exactly construction will start on the 50 000-seater stadium.

Nelson Mandela Bay has now less than two years to meet the Fifa target of completing the stadium by 2008.

However, the municipality has remained adamant that it will meet the deadline.

Eastern Province Herald
 
Publisher: I-Net Bridge
Source: I-Net Bridge