Question NO191 to the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment

Mchunu, Ms S to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment

Ms T V B Mchunu (ANC) to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment: Given that many South Africans are unemployed and daily facing poverty which needs to be reduced, and noting that the Republic’s oceans economy provides us with immense economic opportunities as section 24 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, provides for the sustainable use of the republic’s natural resources and that oil and gas exploration is one of the pillars of our oceans economy, how does her department intend to ensure that (a) the exploration of the Republic’s resources occurs in strict compliance and (b) there is greater exercise of due diligence and care in dealing with risk and necessary rehabilitation in the aftermath of the process to the environment?