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Corporations spearheads Oxygas project
Last Friday, Botswana Development Corporation (BDC) celebrated the ground-breaking of a specialised warehouse facility for an Oxygen Gas (Oxygas) project in Selibe-Phikwe.
Oxygas is a 100 percent citizen-owned company set up to manufacture medical and industrial gas and is seen as a local trailblazer in this field.
The ceremony was officiated by the Minister of Health, Dr Edwin Dikoloti.
In his remarks, BDC Managing Director, Cross Kgosidiile said the occasion represents the beginning of a journey into a sustainable manufacturing industry, which requires rich resources and thrives on a conducive business environment.
“BDC remains fully committed to fundamentally contributing to the development of a viable, competitive and profitable manufacturing industry. Through Oxygen Gas (Pty) Ltd, BDC will be fulfilling its mandate of promoting Citizen Economic Empowerment, creating sustainable economic diversification, promoting a self-sufficient supply of medical gas, which is key to saving the Botswana population from Covid-19,” stated Kgosidiile, adding the initiative will create jobs and ultimately help the economy grow.
Delivering his keynote address, Dikoloti insisted the project demonstrates Government’s dedication to implementing the 2020/21 – 2022/23 Economic Recovery and Transformation Plan (ERTP) and the Reset Agenda.
He further noted that through Oxygas, Botswana will be able to meet the national demand, significantly reduce its current dependence on imported medical and industrial gases and increase export potential.
“When achieved, these would contribute to the accomplishment of strategic goals in self-sufficiency and reduction of the import bill as well as job creation,” Dikoloti said.
He went on to commend BDC, CEDA and SPEDU for their collaborative efforts in bringing a project ‘of such national importance’ to fruition.
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 was especially noticeable at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Oxygas has been co-funded by BDC and CEDA.
Through its nominated 100 percent owned subsidiary, Western Industrial Estate (Pty) Ltd (WIE), BDC will construct the required specialised warehouses and ancillary buildings at an estimated cost of P42.6 million.
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.
