Port Elizabeth - Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka will on Monday visit the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan to assess the progress being made by the host city ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Ms Mlambo-Ngcuka will be touring various host cities around the country following the presentation of the Mid-Term Report for the 2010 World Cup Government Unit by the Minister of Sports Makhenkesi Stofile, two weeks ago.

In a statement, the Presidency said the Deputy President’s visits were aimed at assessing the progress made in preparations.

Forming part of the programme, Ms Mlambo-Ngcuka is expected to open the new R1.3 billion Diaz Road in Kensington.

This road and a bus rapid transit system are part of the municipality’s efforts to upgrade the transport network in the area.

She said it was anticipated that the system would be operational by 2010.

The 2010 World Cup Government Unit report indicated that the metropolitan was at risk in terms of the completion deadline, which was set for December 2008.

This led government, FIFA and the 2010 Local Organising Committee (LOC) to give a lifeline for the metropolitan to speed up the construction in order to be part of the five venues for the 2009 Confederations Cup.

They set a new deadline for 29 April 2008 by which the metro has to meet certain requirements in order to be one of the five stadiums to host the 2009 Confederations Cup.

LOC Chairman, Irvin Khoza earlier this month said while Port Elizabeth was still part of the five stadiums, there were still requirements that needed to be met from the side of the city.

"A decision will be taken on whether or not Port Elizabeth will be one of the 2009 Confederation venues on 29 April 2008.

"But the ball is in their court and they have to give us the comfort that they will be ready for the Confederations Cup," Mr Khoza said at the time.

Nelson Mandela Bay Executive Mayor Nondumiso Maphazi said the city was committed to meeting the deadline set by FIFA, adding that outstanding issues at the stadium include the numbering of seats as well as accommodation around the city.

Last month, the mayor said the metro would "honour our commitments as a host city", including completing the multipurpose stadium for the Confederations Cup in 2009 on deadline.

"We are absolutely confident that our hosting of both the Confederations Cup and the World Cup will leave a lasting, sustainable legacy."

With regard to accommodation, the mayor said a five-star hotel was under construction, other premium hotels were "dramatically increasing their bed capacity, and we are working closely with neighbouring municipalities to ensure that we fully meet the accommodation requirements."

In addition, she said, the local university, bed-and-breakfast establishments, caravan parks and private homes were also part of the accommodation product mix. - BuaNews