THE NELSON Mandela Municipality has launched the Mandela Bay Development Agency as a tool to redevelop the city centre, main beach-front and harbour of Port Elizabeth. The agency team will comprise a minimum of five fulltime positions: senior manager, marketing and communications manager, financial manager, land and planning manager, and corporate and legal affairs manager. Projects for which the agency will be responsible include: the removal of a fuel tank storage facility in the harbour, removal of a manganese ore loading facility, the demolition of a section of freeway which blocks the city from the sea, the development a comprehensive public transport system and facilities, the location of the Nelson Mandela Statue of Freedom, rehabilitation of the lower Baakens River Valley, redefining the use of the existing rail links to the harbour and attracting international funding and investment. It is anticipated that the development agency will become a major source of income for the municipality. It is scheduled to become operational in January 2004.