Saldanha IDZ to become oil and gas hub

The Saldanha Industrial Development Zone (IDZ) has been singled out as a top priority for the Western Cape government, according to its Premier Helen Zille. The IDZ in Saldanha will be designated by the National Department of Trade and Industry in the next few months, and a key project in the IDZ is the development of an oil and gas servicing hub. “Of the scores of oil rigs that pass the West Coast of Africa, just six docked in Saldanha and Cape Town last year for maintenance and servicing. This is an enormous opportunity lost,” said Zille. It is estimated that an eight-week stay by an oil rig is worth R200 million and 2000 job opportunities. “The IDZ will significantly increase the capacity of the port to receive many more rigs that create thousands of new jobs.” In this regard, said Zille, the Western Cape Government has also introduced a number of initiatives to support the training of artisans who will be needed once the establishment of the Saldanha IDZ has been completed. “For example, we are working in collaboration with the National Artisan Moderation Body on a pilot project that will recognise the prior learning of many workers who perform the work of artisans without formal qualifications. We have also supported more than 500 people in artisan development programmes during the past year.” INSERT ‘An eight-week stay by an oil rig is worth R200 million and 2000 job opportunities’ – Zille