Cape business chamber wants answers
4 February 2008, 07:44
The Cape Town Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry says it will demand an explanation from Eskom about Friday night's blackout which caused severe financial losses to Cape Town's hospitality industry as well as a complete shutdown of fuel supplier Chevron's refinery plant at Killarney.
Chamber executive director Albert Schuitmaker said it was not possible to put an exact figure on the amount restaurants, hotels and other hospitality businesses suffered, but it could be as much as millions of rand.
"We don't know how much stock was ordered and could not be sold, or how many customers could not pay due to the power failure, but I can comfortably say it cost the industry millions of rand. For smaller establishments ... the financial impact will be great," Schuitmaker said.
The blackout - which left Cape Town and many of its suburbs in total darkness - was caused when an electricity supply station near Goodwood failed.
Schuitmaker said, over the years, the chamber had expressed concern about Eskom's maintenance of equipment and it was only since 2006 that the utility had stepped up its maintenance programme.
"But I'm convinced that, due to their skills shortage, they have not been able to keep up proper maintenance. They have a lot of unscheduled maintenance. That is what they call it. We call it breakdowns because that's what it is.
"Unscheduled maintenance occurs when there is a breakdown, and they find something wrong, then decide to use the breakdown to replace equipment," he said.
Chevron said that, while it would take a week to get the refinery restarted, there was enough petrol and diesel, but plans would be made to increase jet fuel stock.
Chevron public affairs manager Phumi Nhlapo added that the shortage was established during Friday's shutdown.
"I don't know what it will entail, but the relevant people will work on a plan. It is too soon to know when jet fuel levels will be up again. We will communicate with our clients," she said.
Airports Company of SA spokes-person Deirdre Hendricks said: "Our fuel consortium, which includes Chevron and Shell, will advise us if there is a shortage. Right now the situation is normal."
Charles Kadalie, City Council spokesman for public lighting, said Friday's blackout was a problem.
Chamber executive director Albert Schuitmaker said it was not possible to put an exact figure on the amount restaurants, hotels and other hospitality businesses suffered, but it could be as much as millions of rand.
"We don't know how much stock was ordered and could not be sold, or how many customers could not pay due to the power failure, but I can comfortably say it cost the industry millions of rand. For smaller establishments ... the financial impact will be great," Schuitmaker said.
The blackout - which left Cape Town and many of its suburbs in total darkness - was caused when an electricity supply station near Goodwood failed.
Schuitmaker said, over the years, the chamber had expressed concern about Eskom's maintenance of equipment and it was only since 2006 that the utility had stepped up its maintenance programme.
"But I'm convinced that, due to their skills shortage, they have not been able to keep up proper maintenance. They have a lot of unscheduled maintenance. That is what they call it. We call it breakdowns because that's what it is.
"Unscheduled maintenance occurs when there is a breakdown, and they find something wrong, then decide to use the breakdown to replace equipment," he said.
Chevron said that, while it would take a week to get the refinery restarted, there was enough petrol and diesel, but plans would be made to increase jet fuel stock.
Chevron public affairs manager Phumi Nhlapo added that the shortage was established during Friday's shutdown.
"I don't know what it will entail, but the relevant people will work on a plan. It is too soon to know when jet fuel levels will be up again. We will communicate with our clients," she said.
Airports Company of SA spokes-person Deirdre Hendricks said: "Our fuel consortium, which includes Chevron and Shell, will advise us if there is a shortage. Right now the situation is normal."
Charles Kadalie, City Council spokesman for public lighting, said Friday's blackout was a problem.
- This article was originally published on page 1 of The Cape Times on February 04, 2008
