Chairperson, hon members, I must confess that since the time I was sworn in as a member of this House, I have never been lobbied the way I have been lobbied today. Hon members asked me to make sure that our statement is not more than five minutes long. Therefore, I want to oblige the hon members. All members who lobbied me said that they have read the report in the ATCs.
I just want to make one or two important points around the Bill itself, for the benefit of those hon members who did not have an opportunity to read the report.
For the purposes of management of land transportation in the country, the Bill seeks to create an environment wherein municipalities will be allowed, through national, provincial or whatever regulators, to have their own local integrated road transport plans. This is something that has been lacking when it comes to land transportation in our country. Municipalities did not have the capacity to develop their own integrated road transport plans.
That also raises the question of regulators and the issuing of permits. I must point out that we had heated debates on this matter from our provinces during the public hearings and even within the committee itself. It related to the question whether a permit to operate is an asset that a South African citizen can use as an economic instrument to advance or to grow economically. However, we agreed, as the committee, that it cannot be concluded that it is an asset precisely because of the challenges that come with it. As a result, we agreed that the report will be presented to the House for adoption. I now present it, Chairperson. Thank you very much. Debate concluded.
Question put: That the Bill be agreed to.