Stop the Karpower project, eco-activists demand
Eco-activists staged a picket on the N2 yesterday at the offramp to the Coega Development Corporation headquarters, calling for the Karpower impact assessment to be halted until proper public consultation is possible.
The group from the Eastern Cape Environmental Network and Green Connection danced, sang and waved banners saying “No to Karpower”, “No to Oil and Gas in our oceans” and “Fishermen’s Lives Matter”.
The provincial co-ordinator of the network, Owen Ngidi, 48, said their primary focus was on the proposed Karpower project, which could see floating gas turbines moored at the Port of Ngqura, Richards Bay and Saldanha Bay supplying electricity to the Eskom grid for the next 20 years.
“In terms of our environmental impact assessment (EIA) legislation, the assessment must include a public participation aspect which is the opportunity for the community to raise any concerns.
“But the public participation firm contracted to conduct this part of the EIA has been doing it over virtual platforms and there are many members of the community unable to engage because they do not have smartphones or data to do so.
“SA’s National Environmental Management Act says the community is the first point of contact if an EIA is going to be done properly but this is not being respected.”
Ngidi said the network was also concerned about the impact the project would have on marine life, upon which countless fishermen relied.
“Baby fish will be sucked into the cooling pumps and this will cause fish populations to migrate away from the areas where these powerships are operating.
“We stand in solidarity with communities in Richards Bay, Saldanha and across in Namibia where a Karpower project is also being considered.”
Ngidi said Karpower’s effect on the ocean was different to the continuing effect of oil and gas exploration by Shell off the Southern Cape coast, where the vibration of deep sea drilling and spillages were the main concern.
“But it is all about the effect of oil and gas projects on the ocean which we rely on and the lack of proper consultation with the community.”
He said the picket was intended to raise awareness among passing motorists and to flag their call to the developer and authorities obliged to oversee a just process.
“Our message is if the public participation outreach is being limited by Covid, stop it until the pandemic allows for this critical process to be conducted properly.
“If this does not happen, we will consider legal action going forward.”