NCOP approves Appropriation Bill and Eskom debt relief amendment
These legislative measures pave the way for government funding and address the financial woes plaguing Eskom, a central player in the nation's energy landscape.
The Appropriation Bill holds a critical position within the national budget framework. Under Section 27(1) of the Public Finance Management Act, the Minister of Finance is obligated to table the annual budget before the National Assembly prior to the commencement of each financial year.
This year's National Budget, encompassing both the Appropriation Bill and the Eskom Debt Relief Bill, was introduced in May. It follows the recent approval of the Bill in the National Assembly last week, subsequently sending it to the Select Committee on Appropriations for further consideration before returning to the NCOP for final adoption.
This crucial Bill authorises the government to utilise public funds across various departments and entities, enabling them to provide essential services and invest in infrastructure projects and social programmes such as healthcare, education, and social grants.
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We are getting into a situation here in the country with new dimensions of energy poverty. There are households there, as I speak to you, that will not be able to afford the cost of households are being forced to make choices between a loaf of bread and buying prepaid electricity units,' he said. To curb the effects of energy poverty, Padayachee said: "The rising costs of electricity calls for urgent structural reforms to the energy pricing model in South Africa. Policymakers must explore ways to stabilise prices for households and reduce the burden on vulnerable populations. There must be a concerted effort towards transitioning to a sustainable energy future that emphasises renewable energy sources. "By investing in sustainable energy technologies, the government can work towards reducing reliance on expensive fossil fuels, ultimately lowering electricity costs over the long term." 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