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2010 stadium funds dry up

WORK PROGRESS: Journalists from print and electronic media were inspecting the progress of the new Peter Mokaba 2010 Complex Stadium on Monday (yesterday). This stadium is schedulled to complete next year in June. Although the construction workers were on strike several times, but the progress of the stadium is highly impressed and show the direction. PHOTO: ELIJAR MUSHIANA
WORK PROGRESS: Journalists from print and electronic media were inspecting the progress of the new Peter Mokaba 2010 Complex Stadium on Monday (yesterday). This stadium is schedulled to complete next year in June. Although the construction workers were on strike several times, but the progress of the stadium is highly impressed and show the direction. PHOTO: ELIJAR MUSHIANA

Alex Matlala

The completion of the Peter Mokaba 2010 Soccer World Cup Sports Complex in Limpopo could be derailed because its R1,3billion budget has been exhausted.

This was announced yesterday by Polokwane executive mayor Thabo Makunyane at a media briefing.

Makunyane said the design of the stadium was 99 percent complete but that the construction was only 51 percent done.

The spending on the budget stood at 62 percent.

"The construction of the stadium was budgeted at R1,3 billion, which is almost exhausted," Makunyane said. "The remaining 49 percent of the stadium will need an extra R251 million."

He said the municipality, with the Local Organising Committee, has approached the Treasury and will also approach the Development Bank of Southern Africa for funding.

Construction started in March last year and was supposed to be completed by March this year.

"But because of rains and labour-related problems work was hampered and the completion period extended," Makunyane said.

"If we get the funds in time the entire complex will be finished before the Fifa June 2009 deadline," he promised.

Makunyane said that as host city Polokwane would within a few weeks experience a series of changes on the roads leading to the CBD and stadium.

He said most of the roads in the city would be revamped to cope with the transport volume anticipated during the games.

"We have a budget of R143million from the national Department of Transport for the improvement of roads infrastructure around the city and the stadium," Makunyane said.

He said some of the streets that will undergo major upgrades include Marshal, Biccard, Webster, President Kruger, Excelsior and Bodenstein.

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