PetroSA would employ Mossel Bay locals in its forthcoming shutdown, the state-owned oil firm said yesterday.
"Preference will be given to local Mossel Bay people and surrounding areas," said Michael Nene, the acting vice-president of operations.
PetroSA conducts a shutdown every three years to ensure that its gas-to-liquid operations will continue to perform safely. In spite of its assurances to local communities regarding jobs, PetroSA said an organisation calling itself the Sanco (SA National Civic Organisation) Mossel Bay Branch had marched to its Mossel Bay refinery yesterday.
"PetroSA has on numerous occasions met with the Community Stakeholder Forum and shared information with the local media regarding shutdown activities. Intensive discussions detailing how recruitment will be conducted were shared with the Forum... all have shown their understanding in this regard."
PetroSA and the appointed engineering management contractors, Kentz and Grinaker-LTA, would continue to talk to the appropriate community structures.