Latest news with #RequestforProposal
IOL News
2 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
SA faces lottery blackout after Pretoria High Court dismisses Ithuba bid
The future of the national lottery remains unclear after the Pretoria High Court rejected an extension for Ithuba. Image: Supplied South Africa may face a brief lottery blackout after the Pretoria High Court dismissed the National Lotteries Commission's urgent application to appoint Ithuba as a temporary operator beyond its May 31 license expiry. On Thursday, IOL News reported that Ithuba, the outgoing operator, is considering the legal implications of Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau's decision to award the next operating license to Sizakhaya Holdings. Ithuba said the decision disregards the progress it has made in building a home-grown lottery ecosystem that supports small businesses, drives local job creation and maximises revenue for good causes. In a statement released on Wednesday, Ithuba expressed deep disappointment, saying the decision undermines the principles of localisation and inclusive economic growth outlined in the Request for Proposal. As a fully South African-owned and Black-empowered company, Ithuba has invested significantly in developing the first African Central Lottery System, owned and developed by South Africans for Africa. 'Ithuba Holdings has the necessary infrastructure, financial resources and distribution systems to deliver a seamless, secure and uninterrupted National Lottery,' said Michelle van Trotsenburg, Ithuba's head of marketing and corporate affairs. 'Our game portfolio is locally developed, our operational model prioritizes economic inclusion, and our reach extends across urban and rural communities, ensuring accessibility for all South Africans from day one.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ However, Judge Omphemetse Mooki said the commission 'over-egged the pudding' in its application. 'Its claim on reserves is based on there being no operator of the lottery for a period of 12 months,' Mooki said. 'It would be a surprise to the court that the minister is unable to appoint an operator, on a temporary basis, for a whole year.' He added that Tau has broader discretion when appointing a temporary operator compared to a fully licensed one. 'I do not accept that the sky will fall after June 2025 should Ithuba Holdings refuse to sign an agreement to conduct lottery operations as determined in the order of May 21, 2025,' he said. Mooki also said that Tau's affidavit in support of the application lacked substance. 'The relief being sought engages a power which the court is to exercise very sparingly,' he said. 'The commission has not made out a case for the relief it seeks.' Mooki ruled that the application was urgent, but ultimately dismissed it. Both the applicant, the National Lotteries Commission and the first respondent were ordered to pay legal costs, including the costs of three counsel. IOL News
IOL News
3 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Ithuba Lottery considers legal options as temporary licence decision looms
Outgoing national lottery operator Ithuba Lottery is considering the legal implications of Minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition Parks Tau's decision to award the operating licence to Sizakhaya Holdings. Image: Supplied Outgoing national lottery operator Ithuba Lottery is considering the legal implications of Minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition Parks Tau's decision to award the operating licence to Sizakhaya Holdings. Ithuba stated that this decision disregards the progress made in building a truly home-grown lottery ecosystem that empowers small businesses, drives local job creation, and maximizes revenue for good causes. In response to the decision announced on Wednesday, Ithuba expressed deep disappointment, stating that it undermines the principles of localisation and inclusive economic growth outlined in the Request for Proposal. As a fully South African-owned and black-empowered operator, Ithuba has invested significantly in developing the first African Central Lottery System, owned and developed for Africa by South Africans. 'Ithuba Lottery has the necessary infrastructure, financial resources, and distribution systems to deliver a seamless, secure, and uninterrupted National Lottery. Our game portfolio is locally developed, our operational model prioritizes economic inclusion, and our reach extends across urban and rural communities - ensuring accessibility for all South Africans from day one,' said Ithuba's head of marketing and corporate affairs, Michelle van Trotsenburg. This comes as the Gauteng High Court is expected to rule on Friday on its previous order compelling the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) to grant a temporary licence to run the national lottery for only five months, as the current licence expires on May 31. NLC spokesperson and Head of Stakeholder Management and Communication, Rudzani Tshigemane, said the commission awaits the court's decision, which will determine the awarding of the temporary licence and its duration. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ 'We expect the court's decision by around 1 pm on Friday, after which we will announce which operator will be awarded the temporary licence, effective from Sunday, June 1, for the duration determined by the court. The operators have indicated that a five-month operating licence is not feasible, so we approached the court to extend the temporary period to 12 months,' Tshigemane said. In its application to the court, the NLC argued that unless the Gauteng High Court amends its recent order limiting the temporary licence to five months, the temporary licence, set to begin on June 1, is widely expected to be awarded to Ithuba Lottery, a subsidiary of Ithuba Holdings. Ithuba Lottery has stated that a five-month licence is not financially viable. Meanwhile, Sizakhaya Holdings, announced as the successful bidder to take over from Ithuba after the temporary licence expires, requires at least nine months to prepare, according to an affidavit by NLC chairperson Barney Pityana. The licence has been the subject of extensive litigation in the Gauteng High Court, initiated by one of the bidders, Wina Njalo. Wina Njalo claimed that Minister Tau favored Ithuba by delaying the announcement and deciding to issue a temporary licence, arguing that only Ithuba has the infrastructure in place to qualify for it. BUSINESS REPORT Visit:
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Smart parking: MC discusses RFP with stakeholders
Chandigarh: A pre-RFP consultation meeting regarding preparation of the Request for Proposal (RFP) for smart parking solutions was held on Tuesday under the chairmanship of councillor and committee chairman Saurabh Joshi. The meeting aimed at gathering inputs from prospective stakeholders, including bidders, vendors, OEMs, and system integrators for the proposed project, on public-private partnership (PPP) model. Other committee members present included councillors Umesh Ghai, Jaswinder Kaur and Darshana Puri, besides joint commissioner, MC, Sumeet Sihag and other officers of the civic body. After outlining the vision of the smart parking solution, Joshi invited suggestions from stakeholders to enhance the RFP framework. Stakeholders recommended incorporating a Proof of Concept (PoC), implementing AI-based and RFID-enabled solutions, introducing valet services, and deploying LED display boards for real-time availability updates. Suggestions also included zoning of parking areas, use of ANPR/OCR, allowing consortiums and international firms, and choosing between POS or ticketing machines to reduce costs. Participants urged compliance with manpower regulations, inclusion of geo-fencing and clarity on legal frameworks concerning stamp duty. A minimum financial turnover of Rs 10 crore for bidders was proposed. The MC will evaluate all suggestions for incorporation into the final RFP to ensure a transparent, efficient, and technologically advanced smart parking system for the city. MSID:: 121441329 413 |
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Penang rules out gazetting Middle Bank Marine Sanctuary to avoid project disruptions
GEORGE TOWN, May 21 — The Penang state government does not plan to gazette the Middle Bank Marine Sanctuary, according to state executive councillor H'ng Mooi Lye. The state local government, town and country planning committee chairman said the Middle Bank cannot be gazetted as this would classify it as an environmentally sensitive area. 'Any projects implemented within a 500-metre radius of an environmentally sensitive area would require a Second Schedule Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report,' he told Malay Mail recently. He said this could affect planned projects near the area and might also impact the Penang Port expansion project. H'ng was clarifying his response to a written question by Lee Khai Loon (PKR-Machang Bubuk) at the state legislative assembly regarding the rehabilitation of the Jelutong landfill project. The project involves reclaiming 70 acres (28ha) of the sea, with potential implications for the Middle Bank. In his reply to Lee, H'ng said the state approved the 70-acre (28ha) sea reclamation to create a work platform for rehabilitation works at the landfill. 'The Jelutong landfill is unsafe because it has long been used as an open dumping ground,' he said. Lee also asked if the state had an exit clause in case the rehabilitation project failed. H'ng said the joint development agreement would be cancelled if the project failed to proceed. 'A new tender process would then be initiated through a Request for Proposal (RFP) or open tender procurement procedure,' he said. However, he noted there was a risk of claims and legal action by the developer against the state government and Penang Development Corporation (PDC). He added that a new developer would not be able to take over the project until legal procedures were completed, which could take between three and five years. The Middle Bank Marine Sanctuary spans around 10 square kilometres in the waters of the South Channel between Penang island and the mainland. It is home to the only seagrass bed in the Straits of Malacca. A study revealed a total of 429 species of seagrass, trees, vegetation, fish, birds, marine mammals, turtles, molluscs, arthropods and echinoderms inhabit the area. The rehabilitation project has yet to begin as it is still awaiting EIA approval from the Department of Environment (DoE). The PDC signed a deal with PLB Engineering Bhd in 2020 to rehabilitate and develop the Jelutong landfill at a cost of RM1 billion. The DoE issued a public notice on its Facebook page on February 12 this year regarding the proposed rehabilitation and reclamation project.
The Star
21-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Penang has no plans to gazette Middle Bank marine sanctuary, says exco rep
GEORGE TOWN: The state government does not plan to gazette the Middle Bank marine sanctuary, says Penang local government, town and country planning committee chairman Jason H'ng Mooi Lye. H'ng said the Middle Bank cannot be gazetted as this will turn it into an environmentally sensitive area. 'Any projects that are being implemented within a 500m radius from an environmentally sensitive area will require the Second Schedule of the Environmental Impact Assessment report. "This will impact planned projects near the gazetted area and this could impact the Penang Port expansion project," he told reporters at the state assembly in George Town, Penang on Wednesday (May 21). H'ng was clarifying his reply to a written question by Lee Khai Loon (PH - Machang Bubuk) at the state assembly on the rehabilitation of the Jelutong landfill project that involved reclaiming 28.3ha from the sea and the implications of the project on the Middle Bank. H'ng, in his written reply, said the state had to approve the 28.3ha reclamation project to be turned into a work platform during rehabilitation works on the landfill. 'The Jelutong landfill is unsafe because it has long been an open dumping ground,' he said. Lee had further asked if the state has an exit clause if the rehabilitation project fails. H'ng said the joint development agreement will have to be cancelled if the project failed to proceed. 'A new tender will be reopened following Request for Proposal (RFP) or open tender procurement procedures. "There is a risk of claims and legal action by the developer against the state government and Penang Development Corporation as well. "A new developer will not be able to take over work at the site until legal procedures are completed and this may take between three to five years," he said. In March (2025), Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the proposed land reclamation off Karpal Singh Drive and the rehabilitation of the adjacent Jelutong landfill will strictly avoid encroaching into the ecologically sensitive Middle Bank marine sanctuary. "The state will take steps to prevent disruption from the reclamation project, which will extend from Karpal Singh Drive, adjacent to the 36ha Jelutong landfill site that has been operating since the 1990s. "Rehabilitation will involve excavating millions of cubic meters of waste, with recyclables to be processed while residuals will be relocated to Pulau Burung on the mainland. "Post-rehabilitation, the area will transition into a mixed-development zone, with 20–30% of the reclaimed land allocated to the state," he said. Chow said that the RM1bil project, a collaboration between Penang Development Corporation (PDC) and PLB Engineering Bhd, is awaiting Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) approval from the Environment Department (DOE). Spanning approximately 10 square kilometers (1,562.49ha) in the South Channel between Penang Island and the mainland, the Middle Bank sanctuary is a linchpin of marine biodiversity in the Straits of Malacca. It hosts the region's only extensive seagrass bed, a critical ecosystem that supports over 429 documented species of flora and fauna. Among these are seven species of seagrass, which form underwater meadows vital for carbon sequestration, coastal protection and nurturing juvenile marine life. The sanctuary's rich biodiversity also includes endangered green turtles and dugongs, which rely on seagrass as their primary food source.
