TNPA capex spend falls well short of allocation

Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) spent just 40% of its R2.6 billion capital expenditure allocation last year. This is according to figures presented to the Port Consultative Committee (PCC) in Cape Town by TNPA last week. Cape Town acting port engineer, Moeketsi Mokgatla, said various factors had contributed to the national picture – which also related to Cape Town. “Of the overall R2.6 billion a total of R144 million was allocated to the Port of Cape Town,” said Mokgatla. “Our actual spend of that was only R23 million.” Whilst not going into detail Mokgatla

said several challenges had contributed to the underspending. “There were constraints to implementing some of the projects that should have happened through the year.” He said changing this picture was a priority and plans were in place to spend the allocated R106 million capex budget this year. Immediate work included the upgrade of the marine infrastructure maintenance depot and the replacement of the floating caissons at the dry docks that dated back to the 1940s. Two work boats will also be replaced and the marine academy at the port will be finalised. He said 30% of the R106 million had already

been committed. “The contractors have been appointed and are either on site or busy with the design work.” Mokgatla said from 2020 to 2023 there would be a steadfast increase in the capex spending as the port would be replacing two tugs, acquiring a fifth tug, procuring a helicopter, as well as replacing ten cranes. He said a game changer

for TNPA was the change in its procurement processes that were now starting well in advance compared to what had been the case in the past. “The procurement for 20/21 has already started. We have a forward planning approach now which means we are working in advance to ensure our projects take off in time,” he said. Of the overall R2.6 billion a total of R144 million was allocated to the Port of Cape Town. – Moeketsi Mokgatla