Pt Lisas gets US$1.5B plant

The facility will be constructed at the Point Lisas Industrial Estate to house ammonia and urea plants. The plants will produce melamine and urea ammonium nitrate.

Melamine is a versatile product which has the potential to generate new industries — furniture and construction. Urea ammonium nitrate is used in the fertiliser market.

At a sod-turning ceremony on Thursday to commission the start of its construction, Minister of Energy and Energy Industries Dr Lenny Saith, said that the objective of the new industry is to create new jobs and wealth in the non-petroleum sectors.

“We want to create new jobs and new wealth, as we pursue sustained progress and prosperity for our people,” Saith said.

The minister also announced that the new project would add to the nation’s gross domestic product by generating over 2,000 jobs during its construction phase. The project could see over 400 persons gaining permanent employment.

An additional 600 jobs would be provided for the plant’s maintenance and overhaul programmes.

Saith said that methanol and ammonia plants were the country’s major business enterprises. The industry had demonstrated deep commitment to the local economy.

“The goal of the Government is to strengthen the industrial capacity of the nation,” the minister said at the sod-turning.

Saith also said that Government recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the construction of a US$1.4 billion polypropylene complex. This project will become a major industrial base for the manufacture of plastics and consumer products. The minister further disclosed that in the area of natural gas, Government and the Atlantic LNG Company are currently pursuing new investment opportunities. Also attending the function was Minister in the Ministry of Finance (State Enterprise) Christine Sahadeo.