Eskom response on ELM R2,3 bn debt plan awaited
Eskom has not yet responded or indicated a timeline for final agreement with ELM on the municipality’s new R2,3 billion repayment plan submitted to the Gauteng Provincial government on Friday last week.
ELM Municipal Manager Lucky Leseane confirmed to Vaalweekblad on Sunday that a new repayment plan was submitted to COGTA (Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs) MEC Lebogang Maile on Friday last week.
Leseane added he would be glad to see a closer and more direct relationship emerging between Eskom and ELM in the future even as an amicable solution to the present repayment crisis was concluded.
“After all, ELM is a major client of Eskom and we need to establish a close working relationship with each other as soon as possible even whilst we are grateful for the facilitation of MEC Maile and his COGTA department,” said Leseane.
Reaching an agreement to ensure security of electricity supply to Emfuleni business and residents is seen as crucial by the Golden Triangle Chamber of Business (GTCoC) for Vaal economic recovery plans post Covid-19.
Neither Eskom nor Maile’s Provincial COGTA department responded to enquiries on the way forward or on the plan itself after ELM met the April 24 deadline for submission of a fresh plan.
It is now expected that COGTA will pass on ELM’s plan to Eskom as soon as possible for consideration. MEC Maile is facilitating the process after Eskom recently had ELM assets attached and seized due to non-payment before Leseane assumed office.
Klippies Kritzinger, GTCoC CEO, and both Leseane and MEC Maile have said a new sustainable and affordable repayment plan between ELM and Eskom is necessary to bring stability to the relationship.
Kritzinger has also urged an economically and socially-responsible approach by Eskom towards resolution and which also took the needs of the business community and the devastation caused by the Covid-19 pandemic into account on ELM revenue streams
