Chairperson, hon Ministers and Deputy Ministers, hon members, and distinguished guests, the ANC is committed to public-sector- led development to address the needs of our people and to ensure that public resources serve the developmental needs of our people.
Hon members, the Geoscience Amendment Bill must be seen against the backdrop of a broad philosophy that places the needs, health and safety of our communities at the centre of development. The Freedom Charter identified that -
The mineral wealth beneath the soil ... shall be transferred to the ownership of the people as a whole.
This requires an effective development strategy in which the state co- ordinates its efforts around key priorities. It is within this context that we need to understand the governance framework that this Bill seeks to advance.
This Bill entrenches good governance in a manner that enhances accountability and transparency through proposed structures with specific mandates.
The Bill empowers the council to be the custodian of all geotechnical data, with the purpose of compiling a complete geotechnical risk profile of the country. Concurrently, it promotes the search for and exploration of minerals within the field of geoscience.
Hon members, the Bill enables the Council for Geoscience to act as a national advisory authority in respect of geohazards related to infrastructure and geoenvironmental pollution brought about by mineral exploration.
The Bill enables the council to provide specialised geoscientific services. The amending Bill gives powers to the council to study the use of the land and seabed surfaces and to provide the analysis, which would be used as a geoscientific position. The council can advise government institutions and the public on the judicious and safe use of materials and land.
The council may review and evaluate all geotechnical reports with respect to geohazards that may affect infrastructure and the development thereof. Crucially, an appeals committee will also be set up to deal with disputes such as may arise over access to private land. The proposed legislation plans to give the council the right to enter private property in order to carry out its stipulated tasks.
The Bill proposes a balance in the representivity of the board, with members reflecting different disciplines but brought together in an interlocking manner so as to address the overall mandate. Stakeholders have been addressed in this process.
The numbers on the board have been increased, which reflects the increasing scope and task of the structure. With regard to representation of departments, representatives can be nominated by the director-general and appointed by the Minister.
The powers of the Minister give an indication of the nature and scope of the board and the strategic and sensitive nature of its work. The powers assigned to the Minister by the Bill are appropriate. Such powers are required if we are to meet the demands of the Bill itself. The nature of the powers assigned support the spirit and intention of the Bill that geohazard areas must receive close regulation and protection from the government.
Public safety, especially at the level of poor communities, cannot be compromised and left to the individual developers or the private sector alone. Our past experience is filled with examples of conflict in this area involving private companies and local communities and workers. The governance framework must eradicate such a fragmented practice.
Chairperson, in conclusion, the council will need to strengthen its role in exploration and ensure that co-ordination amongst different stakeholders is both maintained and enhanced. The development of a country, that is, the infrastructural development and protection of our public resources, are all critical areas that this amending Bill addresses. Public education on the intentions of this Bill is critical in order to ensure that communities may benefit.
Government needs to monitor and evaluate exploration processes, so as to ensure that both the state and the people benefit and that the specialised service offered by the council enhances delivery to the people. Attention must be given to strengthening the structures established by this Bill in order for the full intention and potential of the Bill to be realised.
Hon members, this Bill will bring about better co-ordinated governance, control and efficiency in line with the developmental agenda of our country. It will bring about greater accountability and transparency in accordance with international health and safety standards, particularly in respect to the most affected sections, such as poor communities, but equally to the mining sector. The ANC supports the Geoscience Amendment Bill. I thank you. [Applause.]