Several construction projects, collectively worth R4 billion, are on track in the Coega Industrial Development Zone (IDZ) and will reach completion before the second quarter of the 2015/16 financial year.
The Coega Development Corporation said in a statement that approximately 2 400 people were currently employed in the IDZ and at the Port of Ngqura, 70% of which were residents of Nelson Mandela Bay.
CDC head of Marketing and Communication Ayanda Vilakazi said the construction boom was “a clear sign of positive business growth and investor confidence in the Eastern Cape and South African economy”.
Projects currently under construction include the Dedisa Peaking Power Plan (R3.5 billion); Digistics Logistics expansion (R32 million), cold storage facility for Vector Logistics (R130 million) and Afrox Air Separation Unit (R200 million).
Sandisiwe Ncemane, business development manager for energy projects, says construction of the Dedisa Power Peaking Plant is “progressing well, with more than 1 000 construction workers on site.
“The facility, consisting of two open cycle gas turbines, when finished, will produce 342 MW or half of Nelson Mandela Bay’s power requirements. The plant is scheduled to go on line towards the second quarter of the 2015/16 financial year.”
CDC Senior business development manager Johan Fourie says UTi Distribution is also completing construction and is expected to operate from its new larger premises mid-January.
ID Logistics will create jobs for 50 people once operational, he said, while 94 jobs had been created during the construction phase, which is expected to be completed in March next year.
Construction of the new 4 510 square metre facility for Digistics Logistics has 31 workers on site and it will employ 30 people permanently when construction is completed at the end of May next year, while Vector Logistics has created 153 construction jobs and will employ 90 people once operational.
Article published from Metro Minutes by Patrick Cull.
