|
Press Release Regarding Hosting the
Pan-African Parliament, 13 September 2004
On 7 July 2004, the Summit of the African Union decided
to accept South Africa’s offer to host the seat
of the Pan African Parliament. Cabinet authorised the
acquisition of a provisional venue while a permanent
venue is being constructed. After exploring a number
of options regarding the provisional phase, it was decided
that Gallagher Estate would be best suited to host the
Pan African Parliament for the initial five-year period.
In this regard, Cabinet adopted a two-phased approach
towards the establishment of the Pan African Parliament,
which is currently in operation:
Phase One:
The first part of the provisional phase for the second
sitting of the Parliament is located at Gallagher Estate.
This will house the first sitting in its permanent home
in South Africa from 17 September to 7 October 2004.
Existing infrastructure has been modified to accommodate
the Parliament.
Thereafter, a structure will be erected on the Gallagher
site specifically for the Parliament. Currently unfinished
office accommodation will be completed and used for
the Parliamentarians and their staff. This all forms
part of the lease agreement with Gallagher.
In terms of the host agreement, South Africa as host
country is expected to provide the following:
venue for Parliament
Office accommodation for Parliamentarians and their
staff
Information technology infrastructure
Local transport to and from venue
Accommodation for the President Pan African Parliament
These are standard requirements for any country hosting
an organ of the African Union.
The costs associated with these obligations are:
R18million per year +8% escalation over five years
for the Parliamentary venue, including office accommodation
R3,1million has been budgeted for local transport over
the next five years. We expect this figure to increase
as more member states have signed the protocol and therefore
anticipate the costs to go up.
The figures for the information technology infrastructure
are not yet finalised.
The South African Police Services will provide security
for the opening ceremony and the Parliament. These costs
are not yet available but SAPS will use existing staff
to provide this service.
The residence for the President of the Pan African Parliament
has not yet been acquired and in the meantime Ambassador
Mongella is accommodated in a guesthouse close to the
seat of the Parliament.
In addition, the opening ceremony will also attract
costs which will be shared amongst the Departments of
Foreign Affairs, Arts and Culture, and GCIS (R1, 7million).
This cost of this opening is expected to be just over
R7, 3 million.
Phase two:
In order for the Pan African Parliament Building to
properly reflect its African character we are planning
to hold a continent-wide competition for architects
and designers to contribute to the permanent building.
According to the Cabinet decision, it has been decided
that Gauteng will host the permanent Pan African Parliament
Building. The exact location will be decided upon by
Cabinet in the course of time.
The costs for funding of the Parliament will be factored
into the budget cycle of the Department of Foreign Affairs
starting in April next year. The estimated cost is R61million.
The projected financial resources outlined above are
essential for the successful hosting of the Pan African
Parliament in line with the decision of the AU Summit
to give this responsibility to South Africa.
We are looking forward to Thursday and the historic
opening of the first peoples parliament of the African
Union.
Issued by:
The Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001
13 September 2004
|
