North West MEC for Economic Development and Environment, Bitsa Lenkopane, is facing criticism from opposition parties following her announcement that the Urban Blue International Gas-to-Power Plant project in Matlosana will proceed in the 2025/2026 financial year.
The R15 billion project, initially halted and later handed over to the City of Matlosana earlier in 2025, was paused again pending full public consultation and legal compliance. Lenkopane confirmed its continuation during her department’s budget vote in the provincial legislature.
Opposition parties rejected the announcement, with the MK Party’s Lerato Tsholo saying, “The statement made by the Honourable MEC is uncalled for because if it was not because of her high handedness and arrogance this particular matter would not be in public platform.”
Democratic Alliance member Johana Steenkaamp criticised the MEC’s performance, stating: “After listening to your speech, I can confidently say a track record of failed projects, unkept promises, and misaligned spending. Chairperson, you cannot spend your way out of failure without fixing the failures first.”
Gas-Power Project to address ailing electricity infrastructure:
Freedom Front Plus MPL Michael Groenewald added: “DEDECT’s failure to act violates these treaties, the international community will not bankroll incompetence.”
In response to the criticism, Lenkopane maintained that the department would move forward with the project while ensuring legal and procedural compliance.
“One of these projects was the Urban Blue International Gas-to-Power which DEDECT was mandated by this government to lead. As the department, we are aware of the negative comments and attitude on this project. However, the technical team led by the Director General is working with the City of Matlosana to ensure compliance with all relevant legislations for this project to be implemented,” Lenkopane says.
