State power utility Eskom has made a direct application to\u00a0the National Treasury chief procurement officer,\u00a0Schalk Human asking to be exempted from the\u00a0prescribed procurement\u00a0procedures for the new \u00a0nuclear power acquisition according to a new report by the DA.<\/p>\n
The DA alleged that this was done in\u00a0an apparent bid to accelerate the nuclear new build programme, “in a move that would mean that the country’s biggest ever procurement deal would not be subject to due diligence and correct procedures”.<\/p>\n
“At present, sources suggest that Eskom may be seeking an exemption from the requirement to provide a full feasibility assessment for its proposed nuclear new build programme,” said DA shadow minister of energy, Gordon Mackay.<\/p>\n
“This would be a significant exemption and would mean Eskom is embarking on the country\u2019s single biggest public procurement \u2013 without fully assessing associated risks and consequences for South Africa\u2019s economy.”<\/p>\n
“Therefore, given the sheer magnitude of the implications of pushing ahead with the nuclear deal, it is essential that the public, as a key stakeholder, is made aware of it.”<\/p>\n
The party said it would submit an application in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) in order to gain access to copies of all relevant correspondence between Eskom and the CPO with regard to the energy company’s application.<\/p>\n