PG Bison helps transform the Ugie/Maclear region

By creating various timber beneficiation operations close to the plantations, PG Bison’s R1,3 billion North Eastern Cape Forestry Cluster (NECF) development at Ugie is set to create just short of 3 000 direct jobs. Chris van Niekerk, Bison’s CEO, explained that the company’s strategy is to optimise the use of renewable forest plantations in the Eastern
Cape. The NECF development is centred around a 1 000m3 per day particle board plant covering some 36ha – of the 64ha – while further value will be added to raw board in a 35 000m2 melamine-faced board press plant.
“We’re on track to complete the project on time,” said project manager Gerhard Victor, with the first board expected to be pressed in January 2008. In support of the NECF development, government will put much-needed infrastructure and services in place. For example, work has begun on the 132kV electricity supply line from Qumbu to Ugie. The R60 million project – due for completion in September 2007 – will greatly improve the reliability and quality of electricity supply to the greater Ugie/Maclear area. Costs of this improved electricity supply to the region are being shared by Bison and Eskom on the basis of required capacity. – Mike Burgess