Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has called on the fuels industry to deepen collaboration with government as the State builds economic prosperity for South Africa.
The Minister was speaking at the Fuels Industry Association of South Africa Annual Imbizo held at the Sandton Convention Centre this week.
“We recognise that the fuel industry requires predictability and this means that we must build strong partnerships between government, State-owned entities, regulators, investors, infrastructure users and organised industry formations.
“The challenges facing our logistics sector cannot be addressed by government acting alone. Equally, the opportunities before us can only be fully recognised through collaboration, shared commitment and a common vision for our country’s future,” Creecy said.
The Minister noted that government is keenly aware of the fuel industry’s importance to keep the South African economy ticking.
“We understand that the fuel industry is indeed one of the most strategic sectors within our economy because it enables mobility, powers production, supports trade and logistics and contributes significantly to employment and investment.
“As government, we recognise that a resilient and sufficient fuel supply chain is fundamental to the functioning of our economy.
“We are… committed to creating an enabling environment through effective policy regulation, infrastructure development planning and oversight of State-owned entities operating within the transport and logistics sector,” Creecy said.
She told the imbizo that the future growth of the liquid fuels industry requires “modern, efficient, safe and well regulated infrastructure and… government frameworks that provide certainty to investors, transparency to infrastructure users and confidence to the broader market”.
“The [department], working closely with Transnet and the Transnet Ports Authority is promoting several initiatives aimed at improving infrastructure planning, operation efficiency, safety and long-term investment in the Island View precinct [at the Port of Durban].
“These interventions seek to ensure that the precinct continues to meet current demand requirements, while positioning South Africa to accommodate future growth in fuel imports, storage capacity and associated logistics services,” she stated.
Creecy assured the industry leaders that government is committed to working with the industry.
“We are committed to creating a transport and logistics environment that is efficient, competitive, sustainable and capable of meeting the needs of a growing economy.
“I am sure that together, we can ensure that South Africa’s strategic infrastructure continues to support energy security, attracts investment and drive economic prosperity for many generations to come,” Creecy said. – SAnews.gov.za
