Chair, the DA calls on the Minister of Energy to intervene urgently to resolve the crisis in the gas industry caused by the prolonged severe shortage of liquefied petroleum gas, LPG, that has been plaguing the industry for months. I have, on several occasions, raised the matter during the portfolio committee meetings with the Department of Energy. I have also spoken directly with directors of the department about the matter. The response was a feeble media statement by the department last Wednesday. Meanwhile, the situation is getting worse and frustration among traders and consumers is also getting worse.
In desperation, Mr Jean-Pierre Dave of Oil Heat Services (Pty) Limited in Randburg has written to President Zuma for help. In his letter to the President he says:
The negative impact of not being able to supply liquefied petroleum gas has dire consequences for all companies that are dependent on LPG.
He concludes:
Mr President, South Africa's economy has lost billions of rand due to the shortage of LPG so far this year.
Ms Michelle Concar of Gas Appliance Centre in Claremont also expressed desperation when she said:
I write this with a very heavy heart, as I plan to retrench people. How long before we close our doors? The shortage of LPG in South Africa is untenable and must be resolved. In a country that is desperate to create jobs, we cannot afford to lose any jobs due to the lack of a commodity that should be readily available. Thank you. [Applause.]