House Chairperson, the confirmation that the Pebble Bed Modular Reactor, PMBR, will be downsized and its operations will be reduced to a level that allows for the active preservation of its intellectual property and assets was expected, in view of reports that 75% of the project staff had already been dismissed.
We are sad to hear that no measures are in place to ensure the skills of those who are retrenched are not lost to our economy.
The ACDP would not like to see a further R30 billion spent on this failed project, but a staggering R10 billion has been spent with nothing substantial to show for it - a waste. Much still needs to be explained: things like conflicts of interests; accounting for taxpayers' money spent; and the rehabilitation of PBMR staff. We hope this will not be swept under the carpet in the downsizing of this project.
Hon Minister, where to after 2013? What is the plan? A lot of money has been and continues to be spent. What do the people have to show for it? Are you attempting in this instance to justify the original decision for the excessive spending or are we about to investigate why the decision was taken in the first place? Thank you. [Time expired.] [Applause.]