ATC220428: Report of the Select Committee on Land Reform, Environment, and Mineral Resources and Energy on the Budget Vote and Annual Performance Plan 2022/23 of the -Budget Vote No 32, dated 26 April 2022
NCOP Land Reform, Environment, Mineral Resources and Energy
Report of the Select Committee on Land Reform, Environment, and Mineral Resources and Energy on the Budget Vote and Annual Performance Plan 2022/23 of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment – Budget Vote No 32, dated 26 April 2022
The Select Committee on Land Reform, Environment, and Mineral Resources and Energy having considered Budget Vote: 32 and Annual Performance Plan 2022/2023 of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, reports that the that the committee met with the department on 21 April 2022, where the department briefed the committee on the matter of its APP and Budget.
The committee appreciated the inputs from the department and respective DG’s related to the current APP, challenges with budget allocation and performing key responsibilities. Apart from questions directed at programmes of the Department that still recorded challenges with attaining clean audit outcomes, the committee focused on concurrent competencies identified in its strategic planning. These included air quality management challenges in Mpumalanga Province, the implementation of the waste management policy and its potential impact and financial burden on municipalities, and plans for the Departmental entities to reach financial sustainability. A number Climate change concerns were also raised by the committee, including the NDA included in the Climate Change Bill, and the related focus on seismic surveys for gas resources along the Wild Coast of the Eastern Cape. In particular, the committee wished to know whether the Department is engaging with the local communities to determine how they feel about the process. Commenting on the flood damage in KZN, the committee commended the department’s efforts in assisting with the crises in KZN, specifically with addressing waste water spillage into watercourses, but cautioned the department to not only focus on this problem in KZN as there are other provinces also battling similar pollution challenges.
Another concern of the committee was the development of aquaculture in the country and the delays in the finalisation of legislation to guide the industry. The Committee wished to know if the revised Aquaculture Development Bill is near completion and whether the Department was satisfied about the sufficiency of previous consultation on the Bill. The department’s programme 5 was also questioned as to the targeted number of interventions in terms of wetland protection was considered to be conservative considering the pressures these ecosystems are facing. The Committee also wished to see what the future economic prospects were of those individuals listed as receiving training as biodiversity beneficiaries.
For the Forestry management programme, the committee wanted clarity on the tree species that will be used for forestry expansion, and if this activity would not negatively impact on the work of the Working for Water programme, where these exotic trees are being removed from watersheds?
The Select Committee on Land Reform, Environment, Mineral Resources & Energy having considered Budget Vote: 32 and Annual Performance Plan 2022/2023 of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, reports that the Committee has concluded its deliberations thereon.
Report to be considered