With the arrival of Puma Energy Botswana, came numerous job opportunities created specifically for Batswana.
Its parent company has aims to create more than 800 jobs across Africa by the end of 2011.The company reports that even though it is affiliated to Puma Energy International, one of the largest independent oil storages and fuel marketing in the world, it is a stand alone operation that is 100 percent led by citizens of Botswana.
Puma Energy took over from BP fuel stations at the end of the year 2010; it becomes the 5th oil company to operate in the country. The company reports to have recruited locals for positions that were previously only held in South-Africa under BP.
“From the management position to our security guards and cleaners the positions are filled with locals. Normally in a takeover, people expect workers of the previous company to lose their jobs due to downsizing or revamping. With Puma this is not the case. We have not fired anyone; we, in fact, increased employment opportunities,” said Mahube Mpungwa, General Manager of Puma Energy Botswana.
Meanwhile, the GM has revealed that the company has started a re-branding process for all the 30 sites that were previously owned by BP across the country.
According to Mahube, Puma Energy will find it easy to distinguish itself from other oil companies in the country because their key differential area is ensuring that the company meets the demand for oil at all costs.
“Security of supply in a landlocked country like Botswana is critical,” he said.
Puma, which counts mining company Debswana, all the local airports, Morupule colliery amongst its major corporate clientele, has announced plans to expand once they identify the right opportunities. Mpungwa is convinced that judging from the Botswana markets, with expansion will come an increased clientele and that could result in more job opportunities for the country. He has also allayed people’s fears that the takeover could have resulted in the company losing clients that originally belonged to BP.
Puma still retains the same clients.
“We are going to be restless in our effort to expand further; we plan to break new ground in the oil industry and we will do this as Batswana,” said Mpugwa.
Puma said that its different compared to other oil companies who depend on their parent company for supply; it claims to be a single supply company that is not tied to any other company. However Mpungwa said that competition aside, they will be working closely with government and other oil companies to determine how to meet the demands of the local oil industry. He also said that Batswana should look forward to the Puma energy brands and products that will be introduced soon.
