29 January 2008
The ANC National Working Committee (NWC), which met in Johannesburg yesterday (28 January 2008), has thrown its full weight behind government's National Electricity Emergency Programme.
As part of the nation-wide effort to tackle the country's electricity shortage the ANC will mobilise every ANC minister, deputy minister, member of parliament, member of a provincial legislature, councillor, organiser, member and supporter behind this effort.
This follows the decision of the ANC National Executive Committee Lekgotla last week to make this response a centrepiece of the movement's mass work for 2008.
The NWC was briefed by Minister of Minerals and Energy Buyelwa Sonjica on government's urgent and extensive response to the current electricity situation. It noted that the success of this programme in dramatically improving energy efficiency will depend on the contribution of all South Africans and all sectors.
The NWC was encouraged by the positive response from stakeholders and, in particular, from members of the broader public, who are determined to ensure that the country overcomes this challenge.
The meeting noted the massive investment already committed to significantly increasing generating capacity, but recognised that immediate action will need to be taken in improving energy efficiency to ensure the power remains on until the new generation capacity comes on line.
It is therefore critical that South Africans respond to the energy-saving proposals made by government, for industrial, commercial and residential consumers.
The national plan outlines basic action that can be taken by households, companies and government departments to immediately and significantly reduce usage. This includes the introduction of more energy-efficient lighting, the replacement of energy-inefficient appliances, greater use of solar water heating and solar energy, and practices like turning off household geysers during peak times.
The ANC underlined the need to ensure that the measures being taken by government do not adversely affect the poor or limit the access of previously under-serviced communities to this basic need.
The NWC was reassured that every effort would be made to ensure that no emergency or essential services would be affected by the power shortages.
The ANC calls on all South Africans to rally behind these energy efficiency initiatives to better manage the current electricity shortages.
The meeting applauded the initiatives undertaken by the Gauteng Provincial Executive Committee of establishing a provincial forum comprising local government, Eskom and other stakeholders to deal with the electricity emergency. It urged other provinces to undertake similar initiatives.
More information: Tiyani Rikhotso 079 879 7974