MEDIA RELEASE
ACDP Parliament
Cheryllyn Dudley, MP and Parliamentary Whip
7th March, 2008
ACDP shocked that government chose to have no electricity rather than be unable to claim it provides the cheapest electricity. ACDP queries how the nuclear solution and the billions being spent will cost the consuming public less.
In answer to a question in Parliament by ACDP MP, Cheryllyn Dudley, about government discouragement of private electricity generators, President Mbeki has made it clear the reason his government discouraged private generators is because it would cause a rise in the cost of power and his government is proud of offering the cheapest electricity.
Cheryllyn Dudley, ACDP MP responds:
“South Africa now has electricity blackouts at least in part because alternative electricity generating companies have been kept out of the market. Foreign generating companies, for example, were told that they could erect generating plants in this country but that government officials would fix the price at which they could sell their electricity and decide to whom it could be sold. Not surprisingly they declined.
South Africa, now, in fact, has BOTH increased costs and blackouts.
Since government says it has the wellbeing of the poor at heart, the ACDP finds it strange that government did not consider electricity subsidies for the poor instead of discouraging the instantly accessible private electricity generators. How could it be in South Africa’s best interests to put the country into darkness, put the brakes on major construction plans and employment and thus further jeopardise the wellbeing of the poor!?
The ACDP asked the President what other avenues of alternative power have been discouraged as promising environmentally-friendly options seem to have been sidelined. Whilst the President accepted collective responsibility for the energy crisis and apologised, the ACDP wants to know whether the situation arose as part of a strategy to create a receptive atmosphere for nuclear solutions. Nuclear solutions have been speedily imposed without public debate or proper procedure as set out in the green paper. The ACDP is particularly concerned regarding disposal of toxic waste.
ACDP asks in light of the billions it will cost for nuclear power, does President Mbeki still intend keeping the price low? Or will it be just fine for the consuming public to foot the bill if the bill is for a nuclear solution?
Friday, March 7, 2008
ACDP responds to government discouragement of private electricity generators
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
The following "media release" concerning the South African energy/power crisis was released:
*ATTENTION NEWS EDITOR*
ACDP MEDIA RELEASE
BY REV KENNETH MESHOE, MP;
PRESIDENT, AFRICAN CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY 29th January 2008
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ACDP says Irwin and Eskom CEOs must resign * Government must end Eskom’s monopoly and subsidise paraffin and gas.
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Rev Kenneth Meshoe, MP and President of the ACDP says the top officials responsible for the energy crisis must go.
“The Minister of Public Enterprise, Alec Irwin, must take full responsibility for the current electricity crisis and do the honourable thing by resigning for failing in his duties which includes ensuring that Eskom has sufficient reserves to meet the increased demand for power.
The former Eskom CEO and the encumbent must join the Minister and resign for failing to take the public into their confidence when government did not heed their warnings.
While we are told that government and Eskom are doing all they can to alleviate the power crisis; they must find ways to stimulate economic growth and ensure that the gains made since democracy will not be lost.
Government should not make the poor and vulnerable suffer for their shortsightedness; they must be prepared to subsidise paraffin and gas that is used in the blackouts because they refused to act when they were warned about the looming crisis ten years ago. Eskom bonuses at this time would be scandalous, immoral and insensitive as businesses and individuals are losing millions every day.
The ACDP believes now is the time for government to end Eskom’s monopoly and encourage the private sector to help provide alternative sources of power to alleviate the current crisis. We believe that such competition would bring down the cost of power, and give consumers the choice of where to buy electricity.
The claim by the ANC President to the international community that the power cuts are a result of unintended consequences of economic growth is laughable and a feeble attempt to manipulate truth and hide government’s irresponsibility in this matter.”
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For more information please contact:
Rev Kenneth Meshoe, MP and President of the ACDP: 082 962 5884
Released by Ms. Libby Norton, Parliamentary Media Attaché, ACDP Tel 021 40 333 07 or 07 25 70 6361
