Hima to boost output
Oct 28, 2007
HIMA Cement is to boost cement output from 350,000 tonnes to 830,000 when the second plant in Kasese comes on board in 2010.<br>President Yoweri Museveni kick-started the construction works of the sh185b plant over the weekend.
By Peter Kaujju
HIMA Cement is to boost cement output from 350,000 tonnes to 830,000 when the second plant in Kasese comes on board in 2010.
President Yoweri Museveni kick-started the construction works of the sh185b plant over the weekend.
The move is widely expected to boost cement supply and reduce the price, which recently went as high as sh25,000 for a 50-kg bag.
“The cement industry is of very strategic importance to particularly the development of infrastructure.
We are undertaking many construction projects like Bujagali, which requires a lot of cement. We also need cement for roads, bridges, and houses, but the production is small to satisfy the domestic demand.
The increase in capacity will help reduce expenditure on cement imports,†Museveni.
The President explained that the cost of cement in Uganda was higher than the international market prices.
He blamed this on high production costs due to energy shortages.
The President, however, pledged to stabilise energy supply.
He challenged cement manufacturers to diversify their products to include cement used in the construction of storey buildings, which is currently imported.
Bruno Lafont, the chief executive of Lafarge Group, said the project would include the installation of additional clinker capacity of 271,1000 tonnes per annum.
“This new factory will not only create many jobs for the people of Uganda but will save the country foreign exchange by reducing its dependence on cement imports,†said Lafont.
Lafont asked the Government for concession on the plant equipment.
Hima and Bamburi are subsidiary companies of the France-based Lafarge Group.
HIMA Cement is to boost cement output from 350,000 tonnes to 830,000 when the second plant in Kasese comes on board in 2010.
President Yoweri Museveni kick-started the construction works of the sh185b plant over the weekend.
The move is widely expected to boost cement supply and reduce the price, which recently went as high as sh25,000 for a 50-kg bag.
“The cement industry is of very strategic importance to particularly the development of infrastructure.
We are undertaking many construction projects like Bujagali, which requires a lot of cement. We also need cement for roads, bridges, and houses, but the production is small to satisfy the domestic demand.
The increase in capacity will help reduce expenditure on cement imports,†Museveni.
The President explained that the cost of cement in Uganda was higher than the international market prices.
He blamed this on high production costs due to energy shortages.
The President, however, pledged to stabilise energy supply.
He challenged cement manufacturers to diversify their products to include cement used in the construction of storey buildings, which is currently imported.
Bruno Lafont, the chief executive of Lafarge Group, said the project would include the installation of additional clinker capacity of 271,1000 tonnes per annum.
“This new factory will not only create many jobs for the people of Uganda but will save the country foreign exchange by reducing its dependence on cement imports,†said Lafont.
Lafont asked the Government for concession on the plant equipment.
Hima and Bamburi are subsidiary companies of the France-based Lafarge Group.