With affirmative action South Africa can prepare itself for a nuclear fiasco which could dwarf Chernobyl
The ANC government's incompetence and policies such as affirmative action, of which the destructive effect can now once again be seen with the problems surrounding the provision of water in Gauteng, is a recipe for a nuclear fiasco which could make Chernobyl look like a picnic, Adv. Anton Alberts, the FF Plus' parliamentary spokesperson on Energy said.
Adv. Alberts says the FF Plus is also worried about the scope of the project and that it could financially cripple South Africa and permanently enslave the country to a foreign power. At this stage it appears as if Russia will be that country. It also appears that South Africa is already in some respects enslaved to China.
"Incompetence and a policy to put people in positions due to political considerations and not merit is a deadly mix where nuclear power is at stake.
"Despite plans for training, there are no guarantees that the ANC government will not apply affirmative action in key positions in the construction and management of nuclear plants. It is by now well-known that affirmative action is responsible for the lack of service delivery by the state.
The FF Plus will monitor the situation and will not hesitate to call in international assistance if it appears that the project is dealt with recklessly," Adv. Alberts said.
In a reply to a question that Adv. Alberts put to the minister of Energy, Ms. Tina Joemat-Pettersson, as to how the programme will be brought in line with the country's Integrated Energy Plan, how it will be financed and where the suitable human resources will be found for it, the minister replied as follows:
The nuclear power build programme is aligned to achieve the targets of the cabinet as endorsed by the Integrated Resources Plan for 2010 to 2030. The first plant will be commissioned by 2023/2024 and the last plant will be commissioned by 2030.
The financing strategy is currently at an advanced stage in conjunction with key departments such as finance and public enterprises. With regards to human resources, a national skills development plan which has been developed in conjunction with other departments is at an advanced stage, according to the reply.
Referring to the transfer of nuclear technology to countries with questionable reputations with whom South Africa has close ties, the minister's reply reads that this is controlled by local an international obligations.
Text of the reply:
National Assembly Question : 1732
1732. Adv A de W Alberts (FF Plus) to ask the Minister of Energy:†
(1) How does her department intend to (i) bring its project to build nuclear power stations in line with the Government's integrated power plan, (b) finance the project and (c) address the lack of suitable human resources;
(2) how will the Government ensure that South Africa will meet its international obligation not to make nuclear technology available to so-called polecat states(names furnished), in the light of the Government's good relations with these two specified countries? NW2096E
Reply:
(1)
(a) The Department of Energy is planning to rollout the nuclear build programme through the development of strategies to address all aspects of the nuclear value chain. The nuclear power build programme is aligned to achieve the targets of the cabinet as endorsed by the Integrated Resource Plan 2010-2030, that is ensure 9.6GWe of nuclear power into the generation mix. In line with IRP, the first plant will be commissioned by 2023/2024 and last plant commissioned by 2030.
(b) The Financing strategy that deals with various financing options is currently at an advanced stage of development by the Department of Energy, in conjunction with several other key Departments such as National Treasury, and Department of Public Enterprises.
(c) The country has sufficient human resources to deal with existing programme. However, the Department of Energy working with other Departments such Trade and Industry and Science and Technology, Department of Public Enterprises has developed a National skills development strategy that is at an advanced stage in order to address any potential future lack of human resources for the nuclear programme.
(2). Transfer of nuclear technology in South Africa is administered and controlled in terms of the national and international obligations (Nuclear Energy Act, Non-Proliferation Treaty, Pelindaba Treaty). To transfer the Technology an application is lodged with the Department of Energy and it is evaluated in accordance with the Legislation and International Obligations.
Statement issued by Adv. Anton Alberts, FF Plus parliamentary spokesperson: Energy, October 9 2014
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