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DA member of the provincial legislature, Nqaba Bhanga, has scoffed at the idea to make the Eastern Cape an electrical motor hub saying that the province was failing to provide electricity to residents.
Bhanga was rebutting the speech of Premier Oscar Mabuyane, on Tuesday, who had said in his State of the Province Address last week that the province was embracing the transition toward the production of electric vehicles.
In his speech the Premier said he had tasked the Automotive Industry Development Centre - EC (AIDC-EC) to work with the private sector to implement projects that would prepare us better for the transition.
“Key among these projects is the installation of public electric vehicle charging stations in all key routes, enhancement of electric vehicle skills and promotion of renewable energy projects to sustain demands of the auto sector.”
Bhanga says he is happy that 13 independent power producers have been identified in the province but cautioned the Premier to focus on getting the basics right before aiming higher.
He says the past regime had run Eskom better than the democratic government.
“That does not necessarily mean that apartheid was right, but the danger is that under the democratic government, all the SEOs have been destroyed.”
ANC MPL, Mlungisi Mvoko, says the province is working to attract more IPPs as well as Photovoltaic (PV) technologies.
Mvoko says following the relaxation of the rules by the president, the province is making headway in finding more IPPs.
Meanwhile, the newly sworn-in EFF MPL, Zilindile Vena, called for the province to tap into coastal tourism.
Vena says the many coastal villages were being used to poach abalone.
He says the government must give small fishers licenses to join the formalised business sector.
“Next we beautify the waterfronts so that there can be a booming hospitality industry,” he added.
Noncedo Zinti of the UDM called for the ANC government to focus on crime-fighting efforts saying that more police should be on the ground.
African Transformation Movement (ATM) leader, Madod'Odwa Mampofu agreed with Zinti.
Mampofu blamed the government for the increasing poverty levels saying that that has a direct impact on crime.
