THE long-awaited discussion between Ndlambe Municipality, the national Department of Public Works and 43 Air School took place at the council chambers on Friday and moved the discussion regarding the airport and runway a little closer to an agreement.
Ndlambe mayor, Phindile Faxi, has been pushing for such a meeting for some time and recently had an opportunity to speak to high-ranking government officials in order to get the discussions underway. After his talk with Jeff Radebe, current Minister of Energy since February 26 this year, and subsequent conversation with Minister of Public Works Thulas Nxesi, a delegation was sent to Port Alfred including the divisional head of real estate Dhaya Govender.
The question of who pays for a fence around the property on which the airport and school currently stand, and which is owned by the State, as well together with questions regarding the tarring of the runway, where discussed at the meeting.
Attie Niemann, CEO of 43 Air School was also in attendance and the meeting hammered out the rules by which business could continue at the school which was fairer to all parties involved.
This was the first of several such meetings that will need to take place over the next few months if the completion date of September this year is to be achieved.
More in-depth story will be in this the May 24 edition of Talk of the Town.