Hon Chairperson, hon Ministers and Deputy Ministers, the department, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, I greet you all.
Our continent's oldest liberation movement, the ANC, in its 2009 election manifesto said that, working together, we can do more. Indeed, our President, his Excellency Comrade Jacob Zuma, had this in mind when appointing his Cabinet Ministers. I commend him for his visionary intellect of drafting government Ministers in a manner that in this fourth term would work best to benefit our masses.
The subject of today's Budget Vote debate is somewhat less important to many of our people's minds. This is not because of ignorance, but rather because of a lack of information, poverty and an unwillingness to take the initiative of starting projects in relation to environmental solutions. The questions we have to ask ourselves today are: How are we going to address the situation? What measures will the Ministry take to diminish the apathy? If people were fed information about the importance of better environmental care, they would be in a better position to take the necessary steps.
The Department of Environmental Affairs, over the past five years, has done a lot to make things better, and that includes its endeavours to repeal the Atmospheric Pollution Prevention Act of 1965. Our duty, members of the NCOP, is to see to it that Parliament's decisions are most favourable to the citizens of the country at large. The laws are well made due to processes that are correctly followed.
Hon Minister Buyelwa Sonjica in her 2009-10 budget speech made it clear to the public that, and I quote:
The policy and legislative tools provided by the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act will therefore be used to this effect and we will make sure that the processes make sense to the affected communities and their effective involvement will be encouraged.
In the same speech provinces and local government were encouraged to come up with specific programmes that would respond to their unique challenges. It is then our duty as members of the concerned select committee to assist the Ministry with follow-ups and to encourage progress in these two spheres of government in order to speed up delivery in line with the exact timeframes.
The Committee on Land and Environmental Affairs in each programme for oversight will prioritise more time for the most environmentally endangered areas to seek solutions - together with the communities, civil society, research bodies, government, and concerned groups - and to advise the hon Minister on effective solutions to benefit the people.
I am sure that all of us will not rest as long as areas such as Mpumalanga are hit hard by massive erosion; as long as biodiversity is threatened by extinction in areas such as St Lucia; as long as fires threaten the existence of our most treasured biodiversity, especially in the Western Cape; as long as our air quality deteriorates by the day because of toxic gases produced by firms and automobiles; and as long as callous urbanisation robs our people of the green that produces oxygen for the communities. We will not rest until we are sure that the rest of our country is beautifully green.
Chairperson, in relation to the aforementioned, it is evident from news reports in the print and electronic media on 29 June 2009 that there has been a continuous trend in Port Elizabeth for the past 17 years, and that in that part of the country maritime life is at risk because toxic waste and effluent are finding its way to the sea waters from the storage facilities of Transnet. This raises serious concerns in society about how Parliament, which is us, and the Ministry will intervene to stop this hazard.
Other breaking news is that today, 30 June, we are informed that the SA Maritime Safety Authority is to take a decision on whether to continue with research into the containers that sunk, some of which carried a toxic chemical called cresol. These containers were washed overboard the Safmarine Meru on Tuesday last week, 23 June. I bring this to your attention to highlight the need for us as members of the Select Committee on Land and Environmental Affairs to visit such areas in a bid to do urgent oversight visits in these areas so that we are able to ensure that these matters receive the urgency and care they deserve, for better environmental management and ultimately for our people's wellbeing.
Hon Chairperson, his Excellency our President and ANC president, in his January 8th Statement to the nation emphasised that the implementation of government policy does not only succeed by micromanaging all aspects of government, but also by putting in place a system of ongoing co-ordination, monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of government programmes and processes. It is in this spirit that we are going to ensure that we are seized with this responsibility. We are going to ensure that we as members have the responsibility of monitoring and evaluating progress made so that we meet expectations in accordance with the mandate entrusted to us to implement. Together with the members of the committee, we should become the bridge to close the gap between the government and its people.
Hon Minister, let me commend you for prioritising transformation of the biodiversity sector. It is one of those sectors that have been ignored for a long time. However, I think we need to advise that it needs the financial allocation to be able to deliver the desired results in the desired periods. Marine biodiversity is particularly relevant to rural people who live in coastal areas. They should be targeted, as most of them, especially black people, were never given the opportunity to venture into studies about the very nature that surrounds them. As a result, most of them are unaware of the biodiversity world, especially marine biodiversity. Considering that education is a long-term issue that requires one to invest more financial resources, I strongly recommend that the Minister considers adjusting the budget to accommodate the latter.
We are indeed facing a mammoth task ahead of us in this term, considering the importance of environmental wellness, as it relates to the Soccer World Cup tournament in 2010 and beyond. Our predecessors have laid a foundation for us, and for that we are grateful. We appreciate their contribution to the cause. We will work together with the Minister and our beloved people's movement that drives our people-governing policies in executing our role to make sure that indeed our government works for our people to make their lives better.
Ndicinga ukuba isebe lulwenze ngokufanelekileyo nangokuzimisela uhlahlo- lwabiwo-mali, kwaye siyaneliseka siyikomiti. [I think the department has prepared the budget effectively and diligently, and as a committee we are pleased.] I thank you. [Applause.]