'Toxic consequences' for tapping into oil, gas
An environmental group in KZN says government is ignoring
the toxic consequences of tapping into the country's oil and gas reserves.
Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe said last week that the country could grow its economy annually by 8% if it fully explores its natural resources.
Mantashe accused environmental groups of blocking efforts to push ahead with monetising them.
Desmond D’sa, who is with the South Durban Environmental Alliance, says in other parts of the continent, where similar ventures were carried out, poverty levels remain high.
"What the minister is not considering is the legacy of the toxic aftermath.
“He hasn't considered that at all and that's the problem. It's similar to what they [did] when they bought the Shell and BP refinery in Durban. Now, we're going to bear the brunt of it. The toxic waste is going to be there for many years.
"Do they want the society in South Africa to pay for people who have made huge amounts of profit? We know for a fact that the oil legacy is not going to create more jobs than what the current situation is all about."
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