Coega to help with funerals

2003-11-14 22:57

Enrico Claassen

Port Elizabeth - The Coega Development Corporation on Friday accepted full responsibility for the tragedy that killed two people this week when a section of a bridge under construction collapsed.

Pepi Silinga, the corporation's chief executive officer, said at a press conference the accident caught the company completely off-guard.

Forty-eight workers were injured and two were killed when a section of the Neptune Bridge - an onramp onto the N2 highway near Port Elizabeth - gave way.

Construction work costing R157m started in July last year.

According to Vuyelwa Vika, a Coega spokesperson, representatives of construction company Staffanutt & Bressan were carrying out an investigation at the bridge.

Silinga said that, at this stage, it was not clear exactly when work on the bridge would resume as the safety of workers was now a priority.

Would help with funeral expenses

He said the accident site was cordoned off, but that work on the rest of the bridge would continue.

Raymond Hartle, another Coega spokesperson, said the results of the inquiry would determine whether the corporation would continue its relationship with Staffanutt & Bressan.

He said the corporation would launch its own inquiry into the accident in addition to the one which was a combined investigation with the department of labour.

Silinga expressed his condolences to the relatives of those who had died and said the corporation would help with funeral arrangements.

- Die Burger