Totally agree about being Patient and getting it right the first...

Totally agree about being Patient and getting it right the first time because once you start adding in engineering changes your budget becomes non existent, it’s a blank cheque for the construction company & they will bleed you dry. I’ve seen it time & time again.

The majority of major O&G projects I’ve worked on have had their components constructed overseas because it was considered more “cost effective” on paper at least. What wasn’t cost effective were the never ending repairs & modifications that local engineers/welders had to complete once they landed here in Aus, which also resulted in project delays.

However looking at everything that has been said over the last 2yrs leads me to believe that whilst share holder value is at the forefront of their decision making, local engagement, value for the state & local communities is extremely high on the priority list. Local construction is an extremely good way to create goodwill and value add to the local economy. It shows from the start your invested in your community not just here to pillage the land for a buck.

If the SA gov’t had any smarts they would make any approvals conditional to xyz, wether that be local construction, minimum number of traineeships/apprenticeships, after x amount of years or once we turn a profit we participate in a training centre of excellence, equality in our workforce (which I believe we already have a policy in place for, however let me say I am a big believe in the best person for the job & selection criteria should never be based on gender or ethnic background, sure train someone alongside them because hiring someone without the correct knowledge or experience can be deadly), ensuring we work to worlds best practice etc etc.

Just my opinion and like A$$hles everyone’s got one!