Mr Speaker, the procurement of nuclear power stations will, according to reports, cost South Africa anywhere between R400 million and R1 trillion. This will be the single biggest tender by the government in its history. Whilst South Africa's economy needs a stable and affordable electricity supply in order to grow and create jobs, the magnitude and the cost of this programme raise a number of concerns.
The multibillion rand arms deal, which was just a fraction of this cost, was mired in corruption. We need to protect the public interest, Mr Speaker. Already there are reports that the government is being strongly lobbied around this tender by companies such as Areva and Westinghouse, who are desperate to get in on the action.
Mr Speaker, what steps will the Deputy President, as head of the National Nuclear Energy Executive Co-ordination Committee, take in order to ensure that we do not witness a repeat of the corruption associated with the arms deal, and will the Deputy President assure this House that Parliament will be kept informed of all aspects of the tendering process? I thank you.