Johannesburg - The Gauteng Government and Eskom have committed themselves to addressing the major electricity-related issues affecting the province. They are expected to form a task team to tackle problem areas.
Speaking to the media shortly after discussions with Eskom's management on Tuesday, Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane said the task team would comprise representatives from the provincial government, Eskom and civil society.
This task team is expected to look into problematic areas such as cable and electricity theft and non-payment for services. It would then come up with a strategy to address these issues.
Mokonyane said the Gauteng government and Eskom had agreed to work together to address issues such as a green economy and renewable energy; the need to keep the lights on; ensuring regular payments for services; protecting infrastructure; paying attention to decaying infrastructure and skills development.
The premier added that Eskom, through its staff of engineers and financial managers, would prove invaluable in improving the skills capacity of the province and in generating an interest in subjects such as maths and science.
The province is expected to explore the idea of tapping into the knowledge pool of organisations such as Eskom. The Gauteng government intends to use Eskom as a sounding board, turning to the power utility for advice when it came to matters of renewable energy, Mokonyane said.
She called on residents of Gauteng to play a part in the partnership.
"Let us all use the services provided to us in a responsible manner. Where services have been rendered and used, we must pay for them. It is possible for everyone in Gauteng to have access to electricity if each of us plays our role," she said.
Eskom chairperson Mpho Makwana said the utility would not be contributing to the province in monetary terms, but through partnerships.
Eskom was now plotting the way forward and would be meeting with the premiers in the other provinces - which were among the power utility's key customers.
Makwana urged South Africans to take responsibility and start "owning problems". He told citizens to start in their backyards, by taking a stand against cable theft, illegal electricity connections and non-payment of electricity bills.
