Coega best location for planned crude refinery

The Coega Development Corporation (CDC) welcomed PetroSA’s announcement today that they are investigating the possibility of constructing a R39-billion crude oil refinery at the country’s leading Industrial Development Zone (IDZ) and deep water port.

According to PetroSA the Coega IDZ offers world-class infrastructure, is ideally located near growing centres of demand in the Eastern and Western Cape, and has sufficient land available for secondary industries to develop around the refinery.

“Today’s announcement reiterates our position that the Coega IDZ is a viable business proposition,” said Ongama Mtimka, CDC spokesperson. “There are other potential investors who have shown interest in a crude oil refinery in the Coega IDZ.”

Dubbed Project Mthombo, the proposed crude-oil refinery is expected to produce about 200 000 barrels of fuel a day and will come on stream in 2014/15. 

“The fact that PetroSA considered Coega as the prime location is a massive vote of confidence in the Coega IDZ. We welcome the announcement and will continue to negotiate with potential investors,” said Mtimka.

Once the various aspects of the project had been confirmed, the final investment decision would be made around 2010/11.

Ends…

The Certificate in Recognition of Excellence for Outstanding Excellence and Performance was awarded to the CDC’s Executive Manager of Business Development, Khwezi Tiya, by BPeSA CEO, Mfanu Mfayela.

According to BPeSA, the objective of the award is to showcase the contact centre industry in South Africa and draw attention to examples of excellence in the sector.

The national competition followed regional awards in KwaZulu-Natal, the Western Cape, Gauteng and the Eastern Cape.  The inaugural Eastern Cape leg of the awards was held in Port Elizabeth early last month.  The regional awards showcase the call centre industry and its importance to the local economy.  It also recognized the region’s call centre staff for their dedication and hard work throughout the year. 

The Business Process Outsourcing and Offshoring (BPO&O) sector is one of the key priority sectors of growth in South Africa under both ASGISA and the National Industrial Policy Framework. The CDC believes the BPO sector will have a significant contribution to the national economy, particularly with respect to job creation.

“There is evidence of increasing investor sentiment in the sector and we as the CDC are proceeding with the necessary preparations to improve the competitiveness of the Coega Industrial Development Zone and the region,” said CDC spokesperson, Ongama Mtimka. 

Meanwhile, the CDC has received funding to enroll 100 matriculants on a Work Readiness Training Programme for employment opportunities in entry level positions within the BPO&O sector.

“This number does not meet the required numbers of people to meet projected demand for such skills in the Coega Project for the foreseeable future,” said Mtimka. “However, the CDC remains positive that investor requirements will be met through good partnerships with the Services Seta, DTI and other key industry players.”

Construction of a 1 500-seater BPO park is on the cards and will be the first in the country.  The new centre will cover 16 600m2, and will include offices, shops and training rooms.