soyo
introduction
The Angola LNG Project is an integrated gas utilization project being developed in Soyo by Angola LNG Ltd which is a separate company owned by Sonangol (22.8%), Chevron (36.4%), BP (13.6%), ENI (13.6%) and Total (13.6%). These shareholder companies supply personnel on loan basis to Angola LNG and its affiliates to perform services for Angola LNG under the direction and control of the ALNG management, pursuant to the terms of a secondment agreement. Therefore, any shareholder employees living and working in Soyo are seconded to Angola LNG, through a formal agreement.
ALNG is a stand-alone organization and is governed by its own policies and procedures.
The following pictures and information are provided to help employees who are considering an assignment in Soyo, Angola, to see what it is like to live and work there.
ALNG is a stand-alone organization and is governed by its own policies and procedures.
The following pictures and information are provided to help employees who are considering an assignment in Soyo, Angola, to see what it is like to live and work there.
Soyo (formerly known as Santo António do Zaire), one of the six municipalities, is located in the province of Zaire in Angola, which is the largest oil-producing region in the country. The city is in the Africa/Luanda time zone, with an average sunrise at 6:12 a.m. and sunset at 6:17 p.m.
Currently the Soyo population is estimated to be more than 200,000. It has grown rapidly since the start of the Angola LNG project activities.
The official language of Soyo is Portuguese. Kisolongo is the local language, but French, English, Lingala and Kikongo ya leta are also spoken in the area.
Kwanza is the national currency and used in all transactions.
Currently the Soyo population is estimated to be more than 200,000. It has grown rapidly since the start of the Angola LNG project activities.
The official language of Soyo is Portuguese. Kisolongo is the local language, but French, English, Lingala and Kikongo ya leta are also spoken in the area.
Kwanza is the national currency and used in all transactions.
There are two seasons: the rainy (November to April) and the dry (May through October). It is a tropical environment with periods of high humidity. Temperatures vary little by season.
Expatriates will fly in to Luanda (LAD), the capital city. There are direct flights from Europe (London, Paris, Lisbon, Frankfurt, Madrid), United States (Houston), Middle East (Dubai) or via South Africa (Johannesburg). ALNG uses a daily local airline (Sonair) (except Sunday) from Luanda to Soyo and vice versa. Soyo airport also receives other aircraft from various companies.
work environment
ALNG has several offices in the plant area, Bechtel Camp, as well as Kwanda Base Office. There is a regular shuttle between the offices. Resident employees use their assigned vehicle and driver for transportation. Others use the buses.
The office buildings have break rooms where coffee and tea are available. The break rooms also have microwaves and refrigerators. Resident employees are expected to bring in their own food or return home for meals (15- to 30-minute drive) or have lunch at the site cafeteria. Rotators would have access to the cafeteria three times a day for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The dress code for the office is business casual attire.
The office buildings have break rooms where coffee and tea are available. The break rooms also have microwaves and refrigerators. Resident employees are expected to bring in their own food or return home for meals (15- to 30-minute drive) or have lunch at the site cafeteria. Rotators would have access to the cafeteria three times a day for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The dress code for the office is business casual attire.
housing
For incoming families, ALNG provides housing to the resident expatriate in Urbi Soyo apartment buildings right in the city center. The Urbi Soyo is located approximately five kilometers from the plant area.
Resident employees are assigned a fully furnished house by Angola LNG.
Resident employees are assigned a fully furnished house by Angola LNG.
Electrical kitchen appliances and TV/DVD/stereo components are 220V with Angolan (European) 2-pin plugs. Lamps are suitable for 220V with Angolan (European style) two-pin plugs. All large appliances and some small appliances are provided. If you have electronics or appliances with a different voltage make sure you bring a converter, adaptor and any appropriate transformers.
All accommodations come furnished with major pieces of furniture. Small pieces of indoor furniture and outdoor furniture can be shipped to supplement what is provided.
Electricity: Voltage in Soyo homes is 220 volts.
Telephone and Cable: ALNG supplies cable/satellite and phone service to expatriate homes.
Mobile Phones: In general, employees are not provided a mobile phone unless it's required for company business.
Internet: Expats are provided Internet service and a wireless LAN in the houses at no charge.
A private security force is assigned at Urbi Soyo Building. They are charged with patrolling the entire apartment building; they are not assigned to individual residences.
support services
The medical clinic at Bechtel Camp is open to all employees and resident family members who can meet with a clinic doctor free of charge. Clinic services such as X-rays, laboratory tests and prescriptions are provided at an additional cost. Specialty services such as cardiology and gynecology are not available at the clinic for now; however, clinic doctors can provide referrals for these services in Luanda.
The Kwanda Base Clinic is open during business hours (8 a.m. – 5 p.m.) Monday through Saturday. Doctors are on call outside business hours for emergencies.
Medical facilities available are sufficient for basic health and emergency care. Anyone with a serious illness or injury will be airlifted to Luanda or South Africa. Small children and dependents with serious medical issues are not permitted at the location since the medical facilities do not have secondary care and the airlift capabilities are limited to daylight hours only.
other health services
Expatriate employees must pay for dental services out of pocket and can seek reimbursement from Bupa.
Expatriates are encouraged to bring some prescription medications. Most prescriptions are not available in Soyo, or the supply may be limited.
Cleaning and other household services are available for hire. The most common and perhaps safest way of finding household help is through word of mouth. It's a good idea to ask other residents about daily maid service and what days might be available. Always request and verify references before hiring domestic help. Personal household staff salaries are discretionary and dependent on the duties assigned, the size of the family, and whether it's full- or part-time employment. Salaries are expected to be paid in kwanza.
Expatriates typically do not have local bank accounts, but it is possible to set one up if desired. Soyo has nearly 12 branches of the various banks operating in Angola and can change dollars to kwanzas. You can also set up an account in Luanda as this service is available at Chicala. See Expat Onsite Banking Guide (intranet access) on the SASBU HR website (intranet access only).
Those traveling to Luanda on company or personal business can use the cashier's office, located on the ground floor of Chevron's Lenine building in Luanda, to cash personal checks and receive cash (in U.S. dollars).
It is strongly recommended to open an account and use wire transfer instead of cash withdrawals as the company may not be able to provide large amounts of U.S. dollars in cash due to unavailability and safety reasons.
Those traveling to Luanda on company or personal business can use the cashier's office, located on the ground floor of Chevron's Lenine building in Luanda, to cash personal checks and receive cash (in U.S. dollars).
It is strongly recommended to open an account and use wire transfer instead of cash withdrawals as the company may not be able to provide large amounts of U.S. dollars in cash due to unavailability and safety reasons.
Most employees use the ALNG/Chevron office's mailing room services for their postal needs, both domestic and international. This can be accessed by pouch mail from the ALNG mailroom.
Expatriates are required to follow the safety and security procedures developed by SASBU and ALNG security guidelines. Any questions should be addressed to the Angola LNG Security team.
education
No international schools are available in Soyo.
view slideshows about soyo so you can know what to expect in the following categories:
shopping
Shopping may be required daily or every few days as stores are not well stocked and variety is limited. Stores selling fresh meats, fruits and vegetables can be found but they are typically small, family-owned shops. In addition to food items, clothing, appliances, dishes and toys can be found. Again, supply is limited. Many expatriates bring in non-perishables (and some frozen perishables) on return trips from outside Soyo (U.S., Luanda, and so on) to supplement their home food supplies.
Payment can be made in U.S. dollars in most stores; change will be provided in Kwanzas.
There is one major store in the area: Nosso Super. However, the variety and availability of goods is very limited.
Payment can be made in U.S. dollars in most stores; change will be provided in Kwanzas.
There is one major store in the area: Nosso Super. However, the variety and availability of goods is very limited.
Outdoor markets in the area sell a limited variety of fresh vegetables, fruits and seafood. Expatriates are not advised to travel to markets alone with their drivers. For safety and security purposes, it is advised to travel in small groups, along with respective drivers.
There are no malls in Soyo.
There are a few restaurants. Cuisine is typically western or Angolan style with Portuguese influence. Chinese food is also available.
There are two locally approved hotels: Hotel Kwanda in Kwanda Base and Hotel Nempanzu opposite the military houses. The Hotel Kwanda has a restaurant and a bar in the hotel. Hotel Nempanzu compares to western hotels and has three restaurants, conference rooms and more than 90 guest rooms. There is a Chinese hotel and restaurant next to Nosso grocery store.
There are two locally approved hotels: Hotel Kwanda in Kwanda Base and Hotel Nempanzu opposite the military houses. The Hotel Kwanda has a restaurant and a bar in the hotel. Hotel Nempanzu compares to western hotels and has three restaurants, conference rooms and more than 90 guest rooms. There is a Chinese hotel and restaurant next to Nosso grocery store.
Dry cleaners are located in the Hotel Nempanzu.
A salon is located in the Hotel Nempanzu.
transportation
Resident expatriates on an accompanied assignment are provided with company-dedicated drivers. This requirement is in place for security reasons. Expatriates on single status are required to use the company shuttle and can request transportation as needed through our internal transportation services.
The use of public transportation is prohibited.
The use of public transportation is prohibited.
recreational and entertainment
Recreation and entertainment in Soyo is mostly provided via informal gatherings of friends and neighbors. Opportunities in the greater Soyo area are limited, however below are a few options.
- King's Burial Ground: Expatriates need permission to visit the grounds.
- Port of Mpinda: Soyo's Port of Mpinda, located near the mouth of the Congo River on the south side, became an important port in sixteenth-century trade for the Kongo. A community of Portuguese settled in the Mpinda area and conducted a trade in slaves, ivory and copper from the Port of Mpinda.
- Ponta do Padrão: This is where the Portuguese first landed in Angola in 1482. There is no marine transportation available to visit the site.
- Beaches: There are several beaches in and around the Soyo area, including Sereia Beach, Quifuma Beach and Quifuquena Beach. Travel to these areas may require approval from the Angola LNG Security Team.
additional information
ALNG does not currently have the facility to transport pets between Luanda and Soyo.
Several organizations have been developed to foster a better understanding of the needs in Angola and afford an opportunity to contribute to the local community.
- ADPP: Ajuda Desenvolvimento de Povo para Povo (ADPP) is a Danish organization and means Development Support of People to People. ADPP is supported by USAID and has been present in Angola for 24 years. They offer a teacher training skills program and a malaria awareness/prevention training program.
- Evangelical Mission of Quimpondo: The Evangelical Mission of Quimpondo is a Protestant Mission which has been present in Soyo since 1938. The Mission fosters the needs of the Quimpondo community through a community/maternity clinic, school and church.
- Kikudu Mission: Kikudu Catholic Mission has been in Soyo since 1990. The Mission fosters the needs of the Kikudu community through a community/maternity clinic, school and church.
- Mpinda Mission: The present day facility of Mpinda Catholic Mission has been in Soyo since 1936, though the original mission was established in 1491 with the arrival of the first missionaries. The Mission fosters the needs of the Mpinda community through a community/maternity clinic, school and church.
Currently there are no social organizations available to expats.
There are several Catholic and Protestant churches located in Soyo and the outlying community. Services are in Portuguese. The following is a list of some local churches:
- Catholic churches: Igreja Catolica na Cidade (Catholic Church in the City), Kikudu Mission Church and Mpinda Mission Church.
- Protestant churches: Evangelical Mission Church of Quimpondo and Paroquia do Nkugue Yengele.