The R188-million by which the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) overspent its budget was worth it for the goodwill the summit had earned the country, Environment Affairs Director General Chippy Olver said on Thursday.
Addressing journalists at the Johannesburg World Summit Company’s (Jowsco) final press conference, Olver said both Finance Minister Trevor Manuel and Environment Minister Valli Moosa had said for such an unprecedented project, the overspend was ”very modest”.
The original budget was R551-million and preliminary expenditure figures showed R739-million ? 13% over budget. Final audited figures for Jowsco — which will be wound up in December — would be available in February or March.
Olver said he has recently returned from the first WSSD follow-up meeting in Beijing and the accolades Jowsco had received were glittering.
Olver said the benefits of the WSSD to the country’s image were much better than could have been achieved by spending the same money on marketing.
Jowsco chief executive Moss Mashishi said the logistical effort in organising 227 000 hotel bookings accrediting 68 000 delegates and media along with organising the transport had been enormous.
In the 16 months available to Jowsco to organise the conference, Mashishi believed the company had met all its objectives.
”We got some grey hairs but the experience was fruitful and rewarding,” Mashishi said. ? Sapa