UNCTUOUS TO A FAULT

UNCTUOUS is the only way to describe the statement put out by the newly-elected chairperson (sic) of the South African Petroleum Association, Engen chief executive, Rashid Yusof. Oozing political correctness, Mr Yusof felt compelled to say he would "continue the process of building strong relations between the industry and government that had been established by … previous Sapia chairpersons", (Oh, yeah?) and to note, fatuously, that "his appointment came at a time when the industry was being challenged to meet the rapidly growing demand for petroleum products" ( you don't say!). He went on to assure "fuel users" (did he mean petrol sniffers?) that "steps were being taken to ensure that the industry will be able to meet the growth in demand” (Oh, a new Engen refinery, perhaps?). There was also the inevitable bow towards "transformation targets" and finally this beauty: "We want to contribute to creating jobs and thus overcoming (sic) poverty." Don't you just love this self importanceand lousy grammar? Mr Yusuf should know that the South African crude-based oil industry employs very few people. Those it does employ are the skilled. Pump jockeys are actually employed by service station operators, not oil companies like Engen. Remove the regulations that ban self-service at petrol stations and attendants would vanish overnight. As for overcoming poverty, what tripe!