Durban-based JBN
International has identified
“huge potential” for oil
and gas sector growth
in the Southern African
Development
Community
(SADC)
countries
and plans to
expand its
presence in
the region.
“We
already have
a presence
in Walvis
Bay, Namibia
and Beira,
Mozambique but we have
seen huge infrastructure
development in Namibia,
Zambia, the Democratic
Republic of Congo and
Vic Falls and hope to
take advantage of the
opportunities presented
there,” said
Jacko Naicker
of JBN. He
told FTW that
the company
was currently
supplying
bitumen
for road
construction
and heavy
fuel oil (HFO)
for ignition
at certain
installations. “HFO is
being used as bunker fuel
in mainland Mozambique,
with the islands also coming
on stream,” said Naicker.
Managing director of
JBN, Buddy Naicker, told
FTW that the company
believed that there
should be more regional
integration with South
Africa and its neighbours
to ensure “true progressive
development” for the
country. “Funding is one
of the biggest hurdles for
development in the SADC
countries and we believe a
macro-economic approach
by the relevant governments
is the way to go,” she said.
Another hurdle to growth
and development is delays
at borders and ports which
may be the “difference in
customer retention and
business sustainability”,
said Naicker. She added
that transportation by sea
or road in certain African
countries could be a
nightmare if companies did
not align themselves with
the right agents.
INSERT & CAPTION
Funding is one of the
biggest hurdles for
development in the
SADC countries.
– Buddy Naicker
CAPTION
JBN is currently supplying bitumen for road
construction in southern Africa.
