ISMO Bill: ANC blocks motion to have key bill considered by Parliament

Today, the DA will write to the ANC Chief Whip, Stone Sizani, demanding an explanation as to why the ANC is committed to maintaining ESKOM's monopoly at the expense of poor.

Yesterday in Parliament, Zuma's ANC rejected our motion without notice to revive the Independent Services and Market Operator Bill (ISMO) and place it on the order paper for consideration. 

The Bill would reduce Eskom's monopoly over our energy sector by removing the operations of the transmission grid from Eskom and placing it in an independent entity. 

This would nurture a more competitive environment in the energy sector, reduce electricity costs, deliver more stable and efficient electricity and create REAL jobs for the poor. 

It has been well over a year since Parliament's portfolio committee on energy passed this Bill, but it has yet to be debated in the House. 

In an unprecedented and procedurally dubious move, the ANC ensured that the Bill lapsed by the last sitting of Parliament in the previous year. 

I wrote to both the Speaker of the National Assembly, Max Sisulu and Mr Stone Sizani, requesting reasons for this to be given.

I also wrote to Mr Sizani's office requesting an urgent meeting so as to raise support for reviving the Bill and finally give it the debate it deserves in the National Assembly. 

In all instances, my correspondence was ignored. 

In Parliament, Zuma's ANC has chosen to ignore all attempts to bring the Bill before the house and is happy to hold our economy ransom due to Eskom's inefficiencies.

Eskom's inability to provide a stable power supply to industry and homes, hamstrings economic growth and results in losses in both productivity and job creation. 

The DA will continue to fight for the creation of an efficient energy sector that provides stable power to South Africans, and which will provide cheaper electricity prices for the poor.

Statement issued by Lance Greyling, DA Shadow Minister of Energy, March 5 2014

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