Chairperson, I have decided to discard colonial traditions, and, therefore, I'm not wearing a tie. Hopefully, you will not kick me out. The ID is forced to rise in objection to the Budget Vote on Energy. We do this because we believe that this department should be taking the lead in setting a progressive agenda for our energy future over the next 20 years.
Instead, what we have witnessed is that the capacity of this department has not been adequately built and it is woefully understaffed. Key priorities like energy efficiency, which should be one of our greatest national priorities, is being driven by a National Energy Efficiency Agency, NEEA, with a staff component of only two people and no money to drive the actual programmes.
The much-needed integrated energy plan, which the department is supposed to have drawn up in terms of the National Energy Act, is also way behind schedule as there was previously no budget allocated to set up the modelling capacity in the department.
Instead, the department is trying to fast-track a second integrated resource plan for the country with very little time being given for public consultation or proper modelling of all the different parameters as stipulated in the National Energy Act.
We cannot develop a plan for our energy future over the next 20 years in such a manner. It is for this reason that the ID feels compelled to object to this Budget Vote until such time as we feel confident that the Department of Energy is sufficiently empowered and committed to developing energy plans and policies that are truly in the best interest of all South Africans. I thank you.