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The creation of a new Ministry devoted exclusively to energy is a welcome development and will allow energy issues facing South Africa to be dealt with more efficiently and quickly, according to the South African Petroleum Industry Association (Sapia).

Sapia represents all the major players in South Africa’s crude oil and synthetic fuels manufacturing and marketing industry.

Commenting on the move yesterday (Sunday, May 10) shortly after the new cabinet appointments were announced, the Chairman of Sapia, James Seutloadi, welcomed the appointment of Ms Dipuo Peters as the Minister of Energy.

“Ms Peters is to be congratulated on taking on one of the most complicated portfolios in the Cabinet,” he said.

“Not only is the energy sector as a whole more complex than is generally thought, it has always played a vital and constructive role in South Africa’s economic development
“For that reason it operates in a regulatory environment that has evolved over many years.

“I can assure the new minister that Sapia stands ready to assist her in any way it can to become fully conversant with the way the industry operates within the regulatory framework. To this end we offer her the resources of our members,” he said “I would also like to extend the industry’s thanks to the outgoing Minister of Minerals and
Energy, Ms Buyelwa Sonjica, for her role in effectively overseeing the industry during her term of office and to wish her well in her new portfolio as Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs.

“From our experience of Ms Sonjica we know that she brings a fine mind to this critical portfolio,” he said.