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Compiled by the Government Communication and Information System Date: 11 Aug 2008 Title: Govt succeeds in energy emergency plans - Mphahlwa -------------------- By Luyanda Makapela Pretoria - Government has succeeded in responding to the immediate electricity emergency by putting in place institutional structures, says Trade and Industry Minister Mandisi Mpahlwa. According to the Economic, Investment and Employment Cluster Report following the recent Cabinet Lekgotla, supply and demand side interventions have been developed and are currently being implemented. "On the supply side, the reduction of unplanned maintenance has been kept below 250 megawatts per day and Eskom coal stockpiles have increased from just less than 13 days in January this year to [about 19 days] in June," Minister Mpahlwa said. Minister Mpahlwa said coal stockpiles have been achieved and has been increased while work has been fast-tracked on coal generation. The minister said, on the demand side, government saw a need to develop a framework for large connections. "Generally on the positives, we have clear institutional development energy targets achieved but more particular focus on the residential side is needed," said Mr Mphahlwa. With regards to Land and Agrarian Reform Programme, the minister said the programme has faced considerable implementation challenges, which included escalating land prices, inadequate coordinated funding and the capacity of targeted beneficiaries. The challenges also included the funding for rehabilitating collapsed agricultural infrastructure. To assist in this, Cabinet has said that the programme should be sufficiently resourced and should get underway, said Mr Mphahlwa. On the Revised National Human Resource Development Strategy, Deputy Minister Dr Rob Davis said the cluster has completed its work revising the strategy and was ready for consultation with stakeholders. He said the review process of the current strategy revealed that appropriate institutional mechanisms were crucial to the effective integration, coherence and co-ordination of human resource development initiatives. Mr Mphahlwa, on the other hand, said the strategy will be focused on strategic priorities that were aimed at addressing the most pressing imperatives for human resource development. "In doing this, we will influence and stimulate other human resource development related activities in the country," he said. On Information and Communication Technology Interventions, Cabinet has noted progress that has been made particularly regarding the Broadcasting Digital Migration and deployment of submarine cables. Highlights of the progress made so far on submarine cables include the Infraco which has reserved manufacturing slots with suppliers for the African West Coast Cable. The main objective of the cable is to ensure the efficient supply of broadband and connectivity with the European Markets, Minister Mphahlwa said. - BuaNews |
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