Kimberley - The Department of Economic Development and Tourism claims that it does not owe a cent to the World Skateboarding Grand Prix (WSGP), which intends taking legal action against provincial government for non-payment and breach of contract.
Relations soured when provincial government ordered WSGP to downscale the initial budget of R22.3 million that was allocated to the 2016 Skateboarding World Championships because of cost-containment measures; and WSGP CEO Tim McFerran accused officials of underhanded dealings and stealing from the growth fund.
He estimated that the damages for the cancellation of the Skateboarding World Championships last year would cost the Province in the region of R400 million.
McFerran also implicated high-ranking officials as well as top politicians in illicit diamond deals, nepotism, bribery, corruption and extortion, which had caused the demise of the Kimberley Diamond Cup.
The acting HOD for the Department of Economic Development and Tourism, Drine Samson, indicated that McFerran was “using any opportunity to tarnish the image of the Province”.
“McFerran is free to pursue legal action. We are committed to clean governance as it involves public funds and we want to ensure value for money. The department refused to compromise on issues of compliance and refused to give in to the demands of the service provider. We do not see the need for an investigation into the allegations as no evidence was provided to prove his claims. All procedures and processes were followed according to Treasury regulations,” Samson said.
Samson also allayed fears that the skate plaza would be shut down, due to funding challenges.
“It will never close. Apart from provincial government budgeting for it every year, we will also be partnering with mines and business to expand adventure sports as a world-class tourism attraction.”
She was not able to disclose the costs of maintaining the skate plaza.
Samson stated that they were in the process of appointing a new service provider after the contract with WSGP expired in December 2016.
“We have been approached by international companies and we are considering all our options.”