CM happy with progress of SAMUR project

Musa at the SAMUR project site in Sipitang when he visited the project site

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman is happy with the progress of the Petronas Chemicals Group Berhad’s Sabah Ammonia Urea (SAMUR) project here.

Speaking to reporters after a site tour of the project at the Sipitang Oil & Gas Industrial Park (SOGIP) yesterday, he said the Sabah government fully supported this mega project and would ensure it was completed as scheduled.

And, he also said the government wished to see petroleum-based projects in SOGIP being implemented in accordance with the master plan provided by Petronas.

“I’m glad because the SAMUR project is progressing smoothly as a result of collaborative efforts among the international and local contractors,” he said.

Musa who is also Finance Minister added that this mega project (SAMUR) would create many job opportunities.

“I’ll make another visit in six months. I want the project to continue to progress smoothly and be completed by 2015 as scheduled,” he added.

Thanking Petronas, the Chief Minister also urged the national oil company to continue to provide job opportunities to the people.

Earlier, Musa, accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister-cum-Industrial Development Minister Datuk Raymond Tan Shu Kiah, Sipitang MP Datuk Sapawi Ahmad, Special Functions Minister Datuk Teo Chee Kang, Assistant Tourism, Culture & Environment Minister Datuk Kamarlin Ombi and Sindumin Assemblyman Datuk Ahmad Bujang as well as Petronas officials including Petronas Sabah & Labuan general manager Julita Ontol, was briefed on the progress of the SAMUR project which is now 46 per cent completed.

During the briefing, chief operating officer-cum-executive vice president of Petronas Downstream Business Datuk Wan Zulkiflee Wan Ariffin, who is also the chairman of Petronas Chemicals Group Berhad (PCG), thanked the State government for its continuous support for the project.

According to him, the project would position PCG as South Asia’s second largest urea producer.

“PCG is currently the fifth largest producer of urea in the South East Asian region with an annual production capacity of 1.4 million metric tonnes,” he said adding that when completed, their annual output would hit 2.6 million metric tonnes.

And, Wan Zulkiflee also said PCG has allocated some RM2 billion for capital expenditure this year for the SAMUR project’s development.

Meanwhile, Sabah Energy Corporation (SEC) was appointed as the consortium’s associate to distribute projects such as civil work, construction of the administration complex, roads and jetties, as well as earthwork, inland transportation and power supply – to qualified local contractors.

And, PCG has employed more than 200 Sabahans who will make up most of the workforce for SAMUR’s operations.

At the moment, these employees are undergoing intensive training at PCG’s various petrochemical plants nationwide.

Source: New Sabah Times