BP invests 7 mln USD in Mozambique Nacala fuel terminal

More than 7 million U. S. dollars have been invested by the British Petroleum (BP) Mozambique in the Nacala fuel terminal in the northern province of Nampula this year. The terminal is being upgraded after paralyzed due to the shortage of money to refurbish it so that huge ships can dock, according to a BP statement obtained here on Sunday. The company says that the renovation will follow international principles and security norms. Mozambican Minister of Energy Salvador Namburete told Radio Mozambique on Sunday that the port is now fit for competition with other harbors in the region. According to Namburete, the recovery of infrastructure is important for the BP to supply fuel locally and abroad. Namburete said the BP is giving an answer to the growing demand for fuel in the southern African nation, adding that "the company has 16 percent of shares in the Mozambican market." "With the opening of the rehabilitated fuel terminal, the BP will consolidate its second position in our country in fuel supply, " he said. The company is also to renovate the fuel terminals in Matola, the city adjoining the capital Maputo and the country's second largest city of Beira in the central province of Sofala. BP Mozambique General Director Martinho Guambe told Xinhua on Sunday that the Nacala investment shows how the company has vowed to improve its services in the country. "This investment shows the compromise the company has in the fuel market in Mozambique, and we are determined to expand our business," he said. He also disclosed that 200 new jobs have been created during the rehabilitation work of the Nacala fuel terminal.