Hon Chairperson, the ACDP is aware that the South African Weather Service Amendment Bill seeks, among other things, to provide the Minister with policy determination and supervisory powers; to extend the powers, functions and objectives of the SA Weather Service so as to provide ambient air quality services and to act as custodian of the SA Air Quality Information System. In addition, it seeks to align the South African Weather Service Act with the Public Finance Management Act, and to provide for offences and penalties.
It is certainly the hope of the ACDP that the supervisory powers given to the Minister will be used to add value to the Weather Service and not in any way compromise the work that they do. The responsibility of the SA Weather Service to maintain, extend and improve the quality of meteorological and ambient air services for the benefit of all South Africans certainly cannot be overemphasised.
As we continue to promote a developmental state here in South Africa and give effect to the National Development Plan, NDP, and the Industrial Policy Action Plan, Ipap, as well as other related mechanisms to grow our economy, we must forever remain conscious of our role to balance economic and industrial growth with quality ambient air for the health and wellbeing of all South Africans.
The ACDP also welcomes the alignment of the Act with the Public Finance Management Act as amended in section 17 of the principal Act.
I received a message from a certain Mr Andre de Kock, who wanted to know what was being done to prevent pollution of our air quality in the light of what he called "possible seeding of our clouds with heavy metals", resulting in these metals finding their way into our water and air, possibly posing a health threat to our citizens. Hopefully, the Minister will be able to respond to Mr De Kock's question.
While a bit over the top for some, the provision in respect of offences and penalties will hopefully be a sufficient deterrent to those who put out hoax warnings that may cost the state thousands if not millions of rands. With that said, the ACDP supports the Bill. Thank you. [Applause.]