SOGIP poised to drive Sabah First agenda, says Ewon

SIPITANG (Dec 13): Deputy Chief Minister III Datuk Ewon Benedick has expressed confidence that the Sipitang Oil and Gas Industrial Park (SOGIP) will emerge as a key driver of the Sabah First agenda, particularly in creating job opportunities and increasing incomes for the people of Sabah.

Ewon, who is also the State Minister of Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transport, said briefings from Sabah Oil & Gas Development Corporation Sdn Bhd (SOGDC) showed that about 90 per cent of SOGIP’s total area has already been committed to approved investments.

“This clearly reflects the high level of investor confidence in the potential of SOGIP as an industrial hub.

“I am very confident that SOGIP will not only generate revenue for the State Government, but will also provide vast employment opportunities for Sabahans, especially local graduates and residents of Sipitang district,” he told reporters after a visit to the SOGDC office at SOGIP on Saturday.

Ewon was on a working visit to review the progress of the oil and gas industrial park, which is managed by SOGDC, an agency under his ministry.

He said several approved investments are expected to commence their respective projects at SOGIP early next year, further strengthening the park’s position as a strategic industrial hub for the state.

“I believe SOGDC will continue to contribute towards the development of income-generating opportunities for Sabahans through high-impact investments and enterprises that are ongoing and planned at SOGIP.

“I also shared the ministry’s vision and direction, and hope the Sabah First team at SOGDC will continue to be strengthened to deliver quality services to all stakeholders, including realising projected dividend payments to the Sabah State Government,” he said.

Earlier, Ewon officiated at a simple groundbreaking ceremony for the development of a scheduled waste management facility by E-Concern Borneo, involving a total investment of about RM1.1 billion to be implemented in four phases.

He then visited the Esteel investment site at SOGIP, which carries a total investment value of approximately RM31 billion, making it one of the largest industrial investments in the state to date.

Ewon was also briefed on the construction of Esteel’s jetty, a critical component of the company’s overall industrial value chain, which is currently under active development. He was further informed of the need for additional land to accommodate the next phase of the investment.

In addition, Ewon paid a visit to the PFLNG 3 project office at SOGIP, where he received briefings on PETRONAS’ operations, including the progress of the PFLNG 3 project, the Sipitang Utilities project currently under construction, as well as the operations of PETRONAS Chemicals Fertiliser (SAMUR).

He also visited the MOLF project site by SOGIP Port Sdn Bhd and the Petroventure Energy Sdn Bhd project, receiving briefings from the respective chief executive officers.

“I am very confident that SOGDC will continue to contribute to the development of income-generating opportunities for the people of Sabah through high-impact investments at SOGIP.

“I also hope the Sabah First team at SOGDC will continue to be empowered to ensure the best services for stakeholders and sustainable returns to the State Government,” he added.