The emphasis on price in the procurement of professional engineering services could compromise quality

The taxpayer could face a R3-billion bill for the construction of the controversial Coega deepwater port and industrial zone, Parliament was told yesterday.

These are the milestones in the development of the Coega Industrial Development Zone and adjacent deep-water port: 1. Monday, February 19, 2001: Start of site preparation and construction of the temporary haul road from a quarry at Coega Kop six kilometres inland to the site of the port.

Work starts on the first phase of a R1,65bn deep-water port.

AN independent study by Stellenbosch-based Maritime Education Research and Information Technology (MERIT) has found that the Port of Ngqura is viable without the Coega Industrial Development Zone and more importantly, that South Africa needs a deepwater container facility at the port of Ngqura.

Home owners and developers have been warned about being over-optimistic about the effects of the proposed Coega development outside Port Elizabeth on local house prices.