Proposed Western Cape Fuel Levy Questionable

MEDIA STATEMENT RELEASED BY:
MR ERIC LUCAS MP
IFP SPOKESPERSON FOR MINERALS & ENERGY

March 7, 2007

The Inkatha Freedom Party Spokesperson for Minerals and Energy, Mr Eric Lucas MP, today said that the IFP would not support the 10c fuel increase, as proposed by the Western Cape Government, if more information on what the money will be spent on is not made available.

"For the IFP there are a lot of questions surrounding this proposed fuel increase on top of ever-increasing national fuel prices," said Mr Lucas.

"During the past four or five years people living in the Western Cape have been told that the reason why the Province has the highest vehicle license prices is because the monies are used for maintenance of roads and construction of new roads. But if you look at the state of roads in the Western Cape, can you honestly believe that the money was actually spent for this purpose? We doubt it.

"Western Cape Minister of Finance, Lynne Brown, has announced that the proposed Western Cape fuel increase of 10c for next year will be used to finance roads and tourism projects. The IFP calls on the Minister to make more information available on exactly what projects she will be funding with the extra R320 million a year her Government will be pocketing from this exuberant increase," concluded Mr Lucas.


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr Eric Lucas MP: 082 557 2481
Liezl van der Merwe: 083 611 7470