A special municipal council meeting rejected an application for a Makana delegation to attend the Delhi International Renewable Energy Conference (DIREC) at the cost of R60 000 a person.
A special municipal council meeting rejected an application for a Makana delegation to attend the Delhi International Renewable Energy Conference (DIREC) at the cost of R60 000 a person.
The conference is to take place in Delhi, India from 27 to 29 October. It is described as a world renowned event that acknowledges the significance of renewable energies for sustainable development, especially for combating poverty and for environmental and climate protection.
It calls upon government ministers, high-level decision makers and policy level thinkers from countries all over the world to address renewable energy production for sustainable development.
The municipality has a limited budget of a R20 000 which has been approved for International Relations.
“Since there is no provision for attending international trips under the Local Economic Development and Technical and Infrastructure Services Directorates, funding for the trip has to be sourced elsewhere and virements be made accordingly,” the report read.
Councillor Zamuxolo Peter said that attending the conference would be an opportunity to encourage the municipality to interact with other countries and hear about issues other economies are facing.
“But having said that, our institution as it stands I don't think it allows us to engage in this trip. Of course this trip could also unlock those challenges, but the institution needs more time to sit down and craft a way forward as to what it wants to achieve,” Peter said.
He proposed that the item not be approved which was seconded by Councillor Thandeka Veliti. The municipality is currently involved in exploring renewable energy sources and alternatives to electricity in an attempt to become the first green city in South Africa.
Examples are the Waainek wind farm project and implementation of a bio-mass energy project, which was recently approved in principle and could result in the creation of 250 jobs and an investment of about R60-million.
