Environmental groups must declare funding - Mantashe
Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe says environmental organisations must declare their funding in the same way political parties do if they campaign publicly against non-renewable energy projects and investments.
"This is a reality that we are faced with in South Africa. Hence, we demand that these NGOs be registered and be made to declare their source of funding as it is done with political parties.”
In May, Mantashe warned that continuous litigation by environmental groups would not stop the exploration of oil and gas as an additional energy source.
Mantashe believes that the development of Africa’s oil and gas sector would be a game changer for Africa, as it was for developed nations in the past.
"Any further delays in this regard prolong and undermine our concerted efforts aimed at eradicating energy poverty,” the minister said.
"The reality of the matter is that Africa cannot continue being a beggar of the world and an import destination for refined petroleum products while it is blessed with a plethora of oil and gas reserves.
"There is no better time than now for Africa to pull resources together to facilitate the funding for the exploration of these natural resources and expand its refining capacity," he said.
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