MEGA CEO admits poor planning has stalled progress of Fresh Produce Market

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byn Bosman Grobler, MPL – DA Mpumalanga Spokesperson on Agriculture

There is still no telling when the Mpumalanga International Fresh Produce Market (MIFPM) will actually be completed and ready to do business as poor planning is said to be the reason why, after 5 years, there is no structure on the site.

There is still no telling when the Mpumalanga International Fresh Produce Market (MIFPM) will actually be completed and ready to do business as poor planning is said to be the reason why, after 5 years, there is no structure on the site.

During a recent oversight visit to the MIFPM, MEGA CEO, Mr Xola Sithole admitted to the portfolio committee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Land & Environmental Affairs (DARDLEA) that the project has suffered major delays as a result of poor planning.

Mr Sithole stated that construction of the MIFPM started before the project’s feasibility studies were completed and before the R1.8 Billion funding required for the project had been secured.

This has led to numerous setbacks and dissatisfaction amongst subcontractors who in the past months have experienced delays in their payments.

According to a presentation made during the oversight visit, the bulk water pipeline and bulk earthworks construction are at 98% completion, with roads and storm water construction still at 60%. This means that after 5 years, only Phase 1 of the project is near completion.

While the three Agri-hubs situated in Bushbuckridge, Mkhondo and Dr JS Moroka municipalities are said to be near completion, it is concerning to note that the one in Dr JS Moroka is said to already be vandalised.

Unemployment in Mpumalanga currently stands at 42.5%, the highest it has been in five years. In order to stimulate Mpumalanga’s struggling economy and create much needed jobs, Finance MEC, Eric Kholwane must ensure that all the necessary steps to prevent further delays to this project are taken.

Despite MEGA’s continuous failure to deliver on its mandate the ANC-led government still insists on using MEGA as the implementation agent for this project. We will continue to monitor the progress of the Fresh Produce Market along with its Agri-hubs.