CT stadium on track but...
2008-08-27 17:25
Cape Town - Cape Town's 2010 Soccer World Cup stadium is on track for completion in December next year, but the city wants national government to deal with the cost overrun, mayor Helen Zille said on Wednesday.
She told a council meeting that contractors were currently putting the concrete seating on the last of the three tiers of the stadium, in Green Point.
By the end of September the main construction work would be finished and subcontractors would move in to complete the specialised work including the high-tech roof.
Apart from infrastructure, the city was also preparing its human resources for the event. Additional law enforcement officers, a disaster operations centre and call centre staff would be appointed.
Replying to a question from a councillor, she said the city did envisage that the stadium would go over its budget, as would all the other 2010 stadiums being built in South Africa.
This was largely because of cost escalation above the 10% provided for in initial documentation. The city had warned the National Treasury at the time that this provision was too low.
She said the city had asked for a meeting with Deputy Finance Minister Jabu Moleketi on the issue.
The overrun would have to be dealt with at a national level, she said.
Mayoral committee member for finance Ian Neilson said earlier this year that the cost, originally put at some R3bn, had risen to an estimated R4bn.
- SAPA