BDC, CEDA pump millions into Phikwe oxygen plant
Pauline Dikuelo | Monday July 4, 2022 06:00
The move will see the country meet its national demand and reduce dependence on imported medical and industrial gases.
Oxygas is a 100% citizen-owned company that manufactures medical and industrial gas.
Through its nominated wholly-owned subsidiary, Western Industrial Estate (Pty) Ltd, BDC will construct the required specialised warehouses and ancillary buildings while another P39 million from the Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA) will finance the purchase of the plant, specialised equipment, and initial working capital.
It is anticipated that the project will create 230 jobs at full operation, with 200 jobs being created during the construction phase.
Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony recently, BDC managing director, Cross Kgosidiile, said the ceremony represents ground-breaking into a sustainable manufacturing industry which requires rich resources and thrives on a conducive business environment.
The investment in Oxygas, Kgosidiile said, was part of BDC’s mandate of promoting citizen economic empowerment, creating sustainable economic diversification, promoting a self-sufficient supply of medical gas, creating jobs for Batswana, promoting real growth of the economy and assisting in placing the private industry in the forefront of economic development.
“BDC remains fully committed to fundamentally contributing to the development of a viable, competitive, and profitable manufacturing industry,” he said.
The Oxygas project is being done in collaboration with the BDC, CEDA, and SPEDU, the regional investment and diversification agency.
For his part, Health minister, Edwin Dikoloti said the project is a demonstration of government’s dedication to the implementation and achievement of the Economic Recovery and Transformation Plan as well as the Reset Agenda.
“When achieved these will contribute to the accomplishment of strategic goals in self-sufficiency and reduction of the import bill as well as job creation,” he said.
The minister also pledged government’s support to Oxygas in order to reduce the health sector’s dependence on imported medical gases, particularly oxygen, whose shortage during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic “proved to be a threat to the survival of Batswana as a people”.