Metal manufacturing project in Sipitang capable of generating 30,000 job opportunities
Hajiji (middle) witnessing the signing agreement of the land lease between Abdul Rahman (second from t left sitting down) and the ESTEEL Sabah representatives for the metal manufacturing project that will be implemented in Sipitang.
The project will go through three construction phases until the company is completely operational in 2025.
The land lease agreement for the project was signed on Wednesday between Sabah Oil & Gas Development Corporation Sdn Bhd (SOGDC) and Esteel Enterprise Sabah Sdn Bhd (ESTEEL Sabah) as the company that will invest in the project.
SOGDC chairman Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan said the investment of almost RM20 billion was the largest that Sabah has witnessed in the field of metal manufacturing.
He said the project had a considerable economic impact on Sabah especially in generating job opportunities for the people of this state.
"The job opportunities for the first phase during the project's construction will involve 10,000 to 15,000 workers and when it is operational, at least 1,752 job opportunities would be created during the company's operation.
"In the second and third phase, the construction would involve almost 30,000 workers and after its operations, it will involve job opportunities for 5,455 workers," he said in a press conference after signing the agreement at the Mini Auditorium at Sabah State Assembly building here.
The signing ceremony of the agreement was completed by Abdul Rahman with SOGDC Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Datuk Harun Ismail together with ESTEEL Sabah Managing Director Xu Yihang and ESTEEL Sabah Director Eng Shao Wei and was witnessed by SabahChief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
Also present was Sipitang MP Datuk Matbali Musah and Sindumun Assemblyman Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob.
Yusof hoped that through the project that will be developed in his constituency, the priority would be given to the people of Sipitang and the surrounding areas to grab the job opportunities that are available.
"This is a big project, and we want the locals to benefit from it and not just be mere observers.
"We must make preparations including the negotiations with related companies if possible, for the initial construction works to at least have 30 per cent be given to local bumiputera contractors.
"In terms of job opportunities during the construction that was said to be around 15,000 jobs, it is hoped that the people of Sipitang and the surrounding areas such as Beaufort, Tenom and Keningau will be able to grab these job opportunities." he added.
