Thank you, hon Chairperson. Hon Ministers, hon Deputy Ministers, hon members, stakeholders of state-owned entities, and distinguished guests, today we are celebrating the day on which Jesus Christ left the earth and went to stay with God. This is the 40th day after Easter, which Christians celebrate. Therefore, people should never come and lie on this very special day of Jesus Christ! [Interjections.]
I am honoured to speak in the debate on this cross-cutting sector of the Department of Energy, on which all departments and other sectors depend. Energy is a way of life, and without energy there is no life. In this context, hon Minister, I am right to say that we must ensure that we all save energy. That is why I am dressed up for the Eskom 49 Million campaign, 49M, to ensure that I lead the campaign by example.
Hon Minister, we appreciate your prompt response when you realised that corruption had taken place in your department. You took a very firm step when you received the Auditor-General's report indicating that some of the officials had contravened one of the most important regulations, section 16A.3 of the Public Finance Management Act, 1999, as amended. The section deals with supply chain management. You acted promptly by disciplining them and took a very firm step. This has shown that the ANC does not tolerate corruption, unlike other people in their province, where they lead by corruption in their events. The budget of the Department of Energy has increased by 9,76%, which amounts to a total of R6,8 billion for the financial year. All other members have confirmed that this is definitely a very serious challenge, and it causes very serious pressure, as some of this money, 95%, as you have mentioned, Minister, goes to the state-owned enterprises and some of the other subsidiaries that are supposed to benefit from it.
This will also have a negative impact on the performance of the department. Therefore we want to assure you, Minister, that we in the Portfolio Committee on Energy have noticed that when some of the skilled positions are not being filled, it is because there is a lack of the funding that you need. We are going to ensure that we engage with the Standing Committee on Appropriations, led by hon Chairperson Sogoni, to ensure that we negotiate for an increase in your budget so that you are at least able to deliver to our poor people.
Hon Chairperson, President Jacob Zuma, in his state of the nation address announced massive investment in infrastructure through the building of power stations, railway lines, dams and roads. The President reiterated that this investment should industrialise the country, generate skills and boost much needed job creation. We in the ANC welcome the department's budget, as it responds to the President's call for job creation through infrastructure development in the energy sector. Again, we say to the hon Minister, "Malibongwe igama lamakhosikazi!" [Let the name of women be praised!] You really are doing what is expected of you.
We are delighted that over the medium term the department will focus on planning for the implementation of new power generation projects, including developing a framework for the participation of independent power producers in the market and establishing an independent market operator. Projects like the construction of the new multiproduct pipeline by Transnet will also unleash the creation of jobs, more jobs than what is expected, which is a response to the call of the President.
The department should be commended for its efforts in promoting the use of cleaner energy to protect environmental assets and natural resources, through the installation of solar water geysers and the liquefied petroleum gas strategy.