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CLOUD OF UNCERTAINTY AROUND PROPOSED OIL REFINERY

16/04/2017 10:02:00 BY KWAZI MASUKU

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MBABANE – Who is fooling who between government and USA Distillers?

This emanates from the fresh developments regarding the proposed construction of the oil refinery and storage facility by USA Distillers – a project which seemed to be going back and forth.
Just in the last publication, we revealed that the ministry was contradicting itself with the different letters that it sent to USA Distillers subject to their proposal to construct or carry out the above stated project.
The project has been surrounded by a cloud of uncertainty following that government had granted US Distillers the permission to continue with the project only to withdraw it 12 days later through separate letters signed by Principal Secretary Winnie Stewart.

The first letter granting USA Distillers the go ahead was dated March 9, 2017 and the other one of withdrawal was dated March 22, 2017 but there were unclear grounds of the withdrawal except that it was stated that Minister Jabulile Mashwama was not consulted when it was signed.
When withdrawing the permission to continue with the project, Winnie Stewart said: “The ministry would like to inform you after consultation with the Honourable Minister something which had not taken place when the letter was issued, hence the ministry would like to officially withdraw it. I was unaware that the letter had been signed and sincerely apologise on behalf of the ministry. You will be informed officially once the minister has been informed.”
Stewart claims that allowing the company to proceed with the implementation of the project was an oversight as she was unaware that the letter had been signed.

Astoundingly, the Times SUNDAY have seen another letter from the ministry, signed by Under Secretary Dumisani Mngomezulu who is currently acting PS, which is again giving USA Distillers the green light to continue with the project. Stewart, the substantive PS is reportedly out of the country. This one is dated March 31, 2017.
In the letter, Mngomezulu wrote: “The ministry appreciates the update on progress provided in your letter and the ministry believes that a project of this magnitude will benefit the country, both economically and socially. The ministry together with the Swaziland Investment Promotion (SIPA) and the Swaziland Environmental Authority (SEA) appreciates your with the project. Stewart, the substantive PS is reportedly out of the country. This one is dated March 31, 2017.

In the letter, Mngomezulu wrote: “The ministry appreciates the update on progress provided in your letter and the ministry believes that a project of this magnitude will benefit the country, both economically and socially. The ministry together with the Swaziland Investment Promotion (SIPA) and the Swaziland Environmental Authority (SEA) appreciates your efforts to date and would like to assure you of its support and assistance to your company as you continue with your planned implementation of the project.”