Board members of Ashaka Cement, the Nigerian unit of Lafarge SA, has revealed plans to expand production capacity of the company
The company revealed that its plans to ramp up production would nearly treble its production capacity.
According to the Lafarge Nigeria and Benin Republic country CEO, Jean-Christophe Barbant, the board were confident of the cement development plans and significant progress on implementing phase one of the expansion process, adding that the plans had received support from neighbouring communities and the government of the northeastern Nigerian state of Gombe.
Barbant explained that the board recognised the contributions of Lafarge, the majority shareholder of Ashaka, towards enhancing Ashaka Cement’s performance and current production capacity - in particular the company’s initiatives in the usage of coal from Gombe State to substitute expensive imported fuel oil and the increase of clinker and cement production.
“Ashaka Cement’s vision is to remain the most preferred supplier to its customers and its willingness to make additional efforts to create more local business opportunities, in partnership with its surrounding communities,” he said.
The CEO also noted that technical feasibility studies on raw material reserves, power and infrastructure undertaken by the company were progressing well and the additional limestone and coal reserves were at advanced stage.
