The North West MEC for the Department of Transport Management, Sello Lehari has refuted claims that the R100 million meant for renovations at the province’s two airports have gone missing.
Lehari briefed the media in Mahikeng on the department’s stance regarding the GD Montshioa Airport in the province’s capital city and the Pilanesberg international airport near Sun City outside Rustenburg.
The briefing follows reports that R40 million was allocated to the refurbishment and renovation projects in the 2020/21 financial year, while R44 million was allocated in 2021/22.
According to the reports over the past three years, the total funds allocated exceeded R100 million. Yet the Pilanesberg Airport has been downgraded because the Province said it has no money for upgrades.
However, Lehari denied that his department received R100 million saying it only got R64.8 million for renovations to the Pilanesberg international airport.
“The money being referred to, as having been used for GD Montshioa airport, is actually spent at Pilanesburg International Airport but the budget was far less than the figures mentioned. Let me clarify this by indicating the exact amount of money allocated and spent.
“For the 2018/2019 financial year, the GD Montshioa Airport received R4 million Rand, and for 2019/2020 received R5 million Rand for the ablution and training facilities. The sister Department of Public Works and Roads, which is an implementing agent for infrastructure projects, could not appoint Civil and Structural Engineers. Subsequently, the funds were surrendered to the Treasury.
“Nonetheless, there were minor renovations made at the fire station and Emergency Operations Centre paid for from the Department’s goods and services budget. This therefore means, there was never an allocation for the renovation of GD Montshioa Airport for the financial years aforementioned.
“For the 2018/2019 fiscus, there was an emergency repair of the runway at the Pilanesberg International Airport. The repair was done through the Department of Public Works and Roads to allow the aircraft to land and for the airport to continue with operations. This was to meet the requirements of the South African Civil Aviation Authority.
“Total expenditure was just above one point eight (1.8) million Rand and the money spent was from departmental savings. The project has been completed and the Department is willing to take anyone for a site walkabout should it be deemed necessary.
“For the 2019/2020 and 2020/21 financial years, over R24 million Rand was budgeted for the renovations at Pilanesberg Airport. This was for the installation of phase one of the four-point three out of nine kilometers perimeter fencing of the airport. This project too, was carried out by the sister Department of Public Works and Roads as the implementing agent of departmental Infrastructure Projects. The total expenditure of phase one is just over fourteen point two million Rand.
“The project was completed in May 2021 and the remaining four points seven kilometers are being done through the Department of Public Works and Roads. For the 2021/22 and 2022/23 financial years, the Department implemented the project for the supply and installation of temporary accommodation in the form of portal cabins at the Airport.
“These portal cabins will be used as temporary accommodation for the Airport officials and other stakeholders that include SARS, Home Affairs, and SAPS. This will allow for the renovation of the terminal building as it is currently not in a habitable condition. The total budget allocation for the project was over fourteen million Rand but the total expenditure to date is just over thirteen point three million Rand.
“In total, the budget allocation for the renovations at Pilanesberg International Airport in the last five financial years is over R64 863 million Rand from which we used only R53.493 million Rand,” Lehari said.
