Sasol puts community projects on hold
“Some of the actions we have had to take include putting on hold some of our community projects,” said Ms Ndjibu.
SECUNDA – Daily commuting to and from work would be, at some point, a lot more easier, and in some cases entertaining with point duty officers.
These officers, appointed by Sasol, provided a much needed service in our town.
Ridge Times, over the years, has reported on these officers entertaining motorists with their humorous traffic-directing moves and whistles, as well as their challenges with motorists not abiding laws.
They also made one’s commute in life simpler by eliminating most traffic congestion.
With lockdown restrictions lifted to level two, most children are back at school, and people are slowly returning back to normal with work and everyday life, therefore roads have become more congested with traffic. Point duty officers are needed.
Sadly this, among many other community projects Sasol previously helped Govan Mbeki Municipality with, will not be happening any more.
Sasol saw share prices plummet at the JSE’s all shares by 94 per cent in early March.
A huge knock for Sasol was when brent crude oil was trading at an all time low of $34 dollars compared to the usual trade of $50 – $70 dollars a barrel. Sasol’s share prices saw a trade of more than R470 drop to an extremely low R30 a share.
On top of this, there has also been the R120 billion debt incurred with the Lake Charles chemical project and the nail in the coffin, Covid-19.
“The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has proved to be enormously disruptive and is negatively affecting businesses and economies across the globe,” said Ms Rethabile Ndjibu, Senior Manager, Communication and Brand Management (Secunda).
“While dealing with the pandemic, an added challenge for Sasol has been the recent sharp fall in the crude oil prices and the low share price.
“These elements have impacted Sasol’s balance sheet severely. In response to the challenges, Sasol has been compelled to make a number of difficult decisions and temporary adjustments to remain viable as it sails through this difficult economic crisis.
“Some of the actions we have had to take include putting on hold some of our community projects,” said Ms Ndjibu.
These include the Traffic Point Duty Officers, Community Safety and Security Ambassadors as well as grass cutting.
“Sasol undertook these projects in support of GMM. However, matters of law enforcement and town baseline maintenance are the responsibility of the Govan Mbeki Municipality and remain so,” concluded Ms Ndjibu.
Also read:
https://www.citizen.co.za/ridge-times/240125/govan-mbeki-municipal-manager-on-last-legs/
