The construction of the new Gauteng Industrial Development Zone near OR Tambo International Airport has commenced, with civil engineering contractor Liviero having turned the first sod at a ceremony attended by a host of local dignitaries.
The project is situated in Bonaero Park, on a site adjacent to OR Tambo International Airport.
The scope of Liviero’s R209-million contract for new client the Gauteng Growth and Development Agency (GGDA) includes site clearance, bulk earthworks, the perimeter fence, guard house, access road and bulk services.
Liviero group CEO Neil Cloete elaborates: “The site is overgrown with blue gum trees and needs to be cleared. Bulk earthworks encompasses the construction of several platforms for new buildings to be constructed. We will be constructing new access roads and also upgrading the existing road. The services that we will install include storm water drainage, sewers and water reticulation.”
Liviero will also install new perimeter fencing, with high access control CCTV and electric fencing, he adds. In addition, the multidisciplinary contractor will build the zone’s new guard house, incorporating access control that features a state of the art surveillance system with x-ray machines, Cloete states.
Dignitaries that attended the sod-turning event included Department of Trade and Industry deputy minister Mzwandile Masina; MEC for Economic Development, Environment, Agriculture and Rural Development, Lebogang Maile; GGDA CEO Siphiwe Ngwenya; and the Gauteng Industrial Development Zone project executive Seipati Mangadi.
“Liviero is delighted to be part of this exciting project, which forms part of the GGDA’s programme to drive industrial development in the province,” Cloete concludes.
Speaking at the sod-turning, MEC Lebogang Maile, explained that the project should be seen as part of Gauteng’s plans to re-industrialise and chart a new course for the economy by supporting value adding, labour intensive and innovative industries, especially agro processing, pharmaceuticals, electronics and automotive manufacturing,
“These are part of the eleven sectors earmarked for government intervention over the next few years. The facility will support industrial development in the area and give practical expression to our plans to turn Ekurhuleni into an ‘Aerotropolis’. It will also offer investors access to clustered infrastructure and its proximity to the OR Tambo International Airport makes it suitable for export-oriented production,” said Maile.
