Transport minister approves Karpowership application

The National Department of Transport grants Kerpowership access to three of the country’s ports for a period of twenty years.

These ports are Ngqura, Richards Bay and Saldana Bay. According to Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga, the approval is in line with the National Ports Act No. 12 of 2005, which gives powers to the Minister to approve applications of this nature. The Minister considered the application in terms of National Ports Act Section 79 (1) (a) and (b) to safeguard the national security of the Country and to discharge the international obligations of the Republic.

Spokesperson, Collin Msibi, says the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) was consulted and supported the approval of the application.

It is for this reason that the Minister gave the TNPA latitude to make necessary decisions in implementing this “Directive, such as considering the safety measures and operation ability of this Directive.

As a result, the following conditions were attached in the approval.”

a) “TNPA reserves the right to include all the necessary commercial and safety requirements or agreements that are considered necessary during the period of this

Directive”

b) “The Directive is also subject to all other government approvals such as Environmental approvals from competent government departments and/or authorities”.