Jamaica on a path of industrial and economic development - Carl G. Morrison

Esso's opening in Jamaica was a proud moment for all involved, The governor general praised the company for setting up shop in Jamaica and also expressed gratitude and appreciation for training Jamaicans for the new jobs.

Published Thursday, March 19, 1964

ESSO OIL REFINERY OPENING

Progress in education, craftsmanship here made it feasible to construct refinery – Esso president

Progress in education and craftsmanship in Jamaica made it feasible for Esso West Indies Limited to construct an oil refinery here, the company’s president, Carl G. Morrison, said yesterday at the official opening of the £4,500,000 plant.

“The foresight of the Government and people of Jamaica launched this nation upon a course of industrial and economic development.” Morrison said. “This courage and vision in an uncertain world resulted in a firm decision on the part of Esso to participate in this development.”

Morrison spoke only briefly to representatives of state, church, industry and commerce, his voice carrying above the roar that is uniquely that of a refinery – the sound of gas rushing up the two big stacks, blended with the throbbing of the complex of metres below.

From a podium decorated in the Jamaican black, green, and gold, Morrison looked out over the 80-acre site that had been reclaimed from the harbour and remarked;

“Had we been on this spot two years ago, we would have been in the beautiful water of Kingston Harbour and quite wet.”

During the 50 years of Jamaican-Esso association, there had been a mutual understanding of each other’s problems, Morrison continued.

“From this understanding, there has developed a mutual trust and respect, a confidence to join hands in industrial development, which is beneficial to all participants,” he observed.

Integral part

“With the announcement of the refinery project, there came to the company offices persons basically qualified in the various professions and trades required in our operations, people capable of acquiring specific training.

Esso's motivation referred to the £4,500,000 investment in the refinery, adding that including inventories, this investment in the refinery amounted to another £1,000,000. But he emphasized the significance of the more than £2,000,000 that the company had put into the technical and on-the-job training of staff.

“The training programme is a continuing and integral part of Esso’s method for maintaining leadership in the oil industry throughout the world.

“Our programme was preceded by trades training conducted by construction (Arthur G. Mckee and Co of Cleveland) to provide new skills and to provide new skills and qualifications to workers on the project.”

The learning of these skills will be valuable not only to the individuals concerned, but will contribute to the future industrial development of Jamaica in other projects, Morrison said.

Morrison noted that 75 Jamaican firms participated in the construction of the refinery as contractors and as suppliers of goods and services.

“More than £1,000,000 was spent locally during the various phases of construction,” he said.

Morrison concluded:

“We are proud to be associated with you, and we are grateful for your help with the continuance of this understanding on the part of all, we can move ahead with confidence to the best interests of this country’s industrial and economic development.”

Speaking shortly before Her Excellency Lady Campbell snipped a braided black, green, and gold ribbon. His Excellency the Governor General, Sir Clifford Campbell, called upon other investors both here and abroad to follow the trail, which he said Esso was blazing in Jamaica.

“Esso is bridging a gap and bringing to Jamaica the prosperity we need.” He said. “May their matters be seriously taken to heart by others both here and abroad so that our adverse payments will be reduced to a point that is negligible.”

Speaking to the Esso representatives, Sir Clifford concluded: “All Jamaica is standing solidly behind you in this investment. It is not in this investment. It is not just what Esso can do. It is what Esso and Jamaica combined can do.”

Sir Clifford referred to the refinery opening as a momentous occasion in the history of Jamaican development. He called the refinery a "monument of enterprise”.

He remarked that Esso could have built a refinery anywhere in the Caribbean and that its choice of Jamaica reflected confidence in Jamaica’s economy.

“If there is any time in our history when we would like to see something like this, it is now.” He continued. “We are moving forward, and Esso is moving with us.”

Sir Clifford spoke briefly of Esso’s long-standing ties with Jamaica. The company’s roots, he said, were founded deeply here.

Then he paid a special tribute to the keenness with which Esso was approaching the matter of training Jamaican personnel.

Skilled men

“Jamaica needs skilled men and women,” he said. “Esso has promised to train our people so that Jamaicans will be in a position to run this refinery.

“It is through trained personnel that we shall move along,” he added.

Mr George Eustis, manager of the refinery, introduced the speakers and at one point, turning to Opposition Leader Norman Manley, Q.C., remarked that "one of our honoured guests is a gentleman who has been closely associated with this project since its inception and who has been keenly interested in its progress”.

Already into operation, the refinery is designed to process 26,000 barrels of crude oil per day. It will produce propane, butane, regular and premium gasolene, kerosene, turbo fuel, automotive diesel and marine diesel, heavy fuel oil, and asphalts. Ships of up to 36,000 tons can berth at the modern marine terminal 1,200 feet from above.

The refinery was blessed by the Anglican Bishop of Jamaica, the Rt Rev Percival Gibson.

Among many of the other representatives of Church, State, the Diplomatic Corps, and the business community present were the Rt Rev S.U. Hasting, Chairman of the Jamaican Christian Council; the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Hon. Donald Sangster; the Minister of Agriculture and Lands, the Hon. John P. Gyles; the Minister of Communications and Works, the Hon. Kenneth Jones; the Attorney General, the Hon. Victor B. Grant Q.C.,the Financial Secretary, the Hon. G. Arthur Brown; Mr Boris Klosson, counsellor in the US Embassy; and Its Worship the Mayor Councillor Leonard Currey.

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