Nelson Mandela Bay Executive Mayor Dr Danny Jordaan and Coega Development Corporation (CDC) chief executive Pepi Silinga will, together with their technical teams, be fast tracking game changer projects.
These projects, located in the Coega Industrial Development Zone (IDZ), have the potential to dramatically transform the economy of the metro and province.
The decision to work together was reached during a meeting between CDC, Mayor Jordaan and senior municipal officials on Thursday, 15 October, at a presentation that highlighted the key performances of the Coega IDZ and its projects.
“This has been a rewarding visit for us. We will continue engagement with Coega leadership and will continue to support their initiatives,” said Mayor Jordaan.
“In the 2015 to 2017 horizon, the Coega IDZ will implement industrial projects, valued at R4.7-billion, in priority sectors like agro-processing, polymer conversion, business services and automotive component manufacturing ,” said Christopher Mashigo, CDC Business Development Executive Manager.
He said beyond these, the Coega IDZ is pursuing economic game changers which will significantly transform the economic and social landscape of this Metro and the Eastern Cape include the soon-to-be-implemented relocation of the manganese terminal from the PE Port to Port of Ngqura, maritime related economic activities, the establishment of Coega oil refinery, establishment of the LNG berth and a base-load 2400MW. The Dedisa Peaking Power Plant which is has recently been commissioned presents an immediate take-off point for the first commercial scale gas-to-power plant in the Eastern Cape.
Part of the visit included a tour of CDC’s Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) Park, Skills Development Centre and Human Capital Solutions (HCS) unit.
Jordaan said: “The call centre (referring to Discovery call centre at the BPO Park which alone employs 1300 youth and will grow to 1800 by the middle of 2016) has created work for youth and this should be a first entry point for job creation. But they should be encouraged to further their studies.”
Jordaan and CDC chief executive Silinga said two additional areas which will stimulate job creation included ocean (blue) economy and township economy which can benefit from the spill over effect of its adjacency to the IDZ.
Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Executive Mayor Dr Danny Jordaan visited the Coega Skills Development Centre and Human Capital Solutions (HCS) unit.
Jordaan said NMMU has been tasked to assist the NMB Municipality in providing a sustainable model in building a township economy. “We have to break the old models and approaches of industrial development in the metro. Why can’t we have major industrial hubs established in areas like Zwide or Gelvandale?”
Silinga said CDC was optimistic and looked forward to a productive year.
“Some of our catalytic mega projects are on a strong footing,” Silinga said.
He said the Dedisa Peaking Power Plant located in the Coega IDZ is expected to take place at the end of Q3 2015/16 FY.
Jordaan added that Coega has taken an all-inclusive approach when it came to benefitting the residents and economy of the metro.
“Coega has taken a holistic approach to boosting the economy and metro by creating jobs, developing skills and growing investment,” Jordaan said.
He noted that even though there are serious economic challenges, growing the industrial base of the city would create more opportunities.
Alan Straton
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