South Africa will explore ways to source its oil from other African countries in a effort to cope with spiralling global prices, South African Broadcasting Corporation radio news reported on Monday.
The SABC said Mineral and Energy Affairs Minister Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka had revealed, during her department’s presentation to the Parliament’s joint budget committee, that her department would join the Association of African Oil Producers.
Mlambo-Ngcuka reportedly said that although oil pricing was international she would also explore the possibility of influencing African countries to supply oil to fellow countries on the continent at reduced prices.
”Even though we are a small producer, we are used to punching above our weight. We can make our voice count.”
There were a lot environmental issues affecting countries like Nigeria and Angola which would be monitored, Mlambo-Ngcuka said.
Responding to the announcement, Inkatha Freedom Party MP Hennie Bekker welcomed the decision to access oil from African states.
”As a prominent Nepad (New Partnership for African Development) member of the African Union, such a decision makes absolute sense,” Bekker said.
He said the IFP had indicated to the government that massive savings could be obtained and that consideration should be given to developing a pipeline from Cabinda in Angola to South Africa. – Sapa