Chairperson, as everyone has been dedicating speeches, I have decided to dedicate my speech as well to South Africans and to our nation who are really suffering from the lack of energy in this country.
In his state of the nation address, the President referred to the triple challenges of poverty, inequality and unemployment. Without serious and sustained economic growth we, as a nation, will be unable to attend to these challenges.
In fact, the President said that we require faster economic growth, acknowledging that the economy has grown below its potential over the last three years. The President noted that the prolonged and, at times, violent strikes, and the shortage of energy were the cause of the slow growth.
For a considerable period of time, experts have warned government of an impending structural shortage, and our government, under the leadership of the ANC, has denied it. The shortages of generating capacity and escalating costs have had a direct impact on our ability to create a growing economy, hurting our country now and into the future.
The completion of Medupi has been delayed and costs have escalated. Has anyone accounted for the mess that we find ourselves in? Has anyone been held accountable? Has anyone accepted any responsibility? Reports indicate further delays. The deadline is supposed to be in December, with the first steady output in April next year. However, according to reports in the City Press newspaper, this deadline appears to have been quietly moved to the end of June next year.
Minister, we need to be continually updated regarding the completion of this project. I won't address the issue of Chancellor House and ANC enrichment, due to time constraints, save to say that it was deplorable profiteering by the ANC out of their mistakes at the nation's expense!
The President indicated clearly that government will pursue the shale gas option. This is an emotive issue, fraught with significant environmental concerns. It is imperative that urgent attention is given to providing a sound policy and legislative process. The matter requires significant public consultation.
Chair, another impending crisis is called maintenance, particularly at municipal level. For more than a decade, municipalities have neglected the maintenance of electrical reticulation infrastructure. Recently, the Department of Energy had to once again bail out the capital of KwaZulu- Natal, Pietermaritzburg, with funding. It has been painful and it has hurt us.
Without energy, we cannot grow the economy. Without a growing economy, we cannot develop as a nation. Without development, we cannot ensure a better life for all. The vision set out in the NDP needs to be put into goals and timeframes ... [Time expired.] I thank you.