By JULIUS PHIRI –
LAFARGE Zambia is constructing the first cement depot in Chipata District in Eastern Province valued at US$700,000.
The depot to be constructed has a cement storage capacity of 3, 000 metric tonnes.
Lafarge Zambia Managing Director, Emmanuel Rigaux said in Chipata on Wednesday evening that the company had decided to open its depot in the province because of high demand for cement in the construction industry.
Mr Rigaux said that the opening of the depot would benefit people in Eastern Province as prices of cement would now be stable.
He, however, said that the storage capacity was not enough for the whole province and that the company would increase the number of warehouses depending on the demand.
And Eastern Province Assistant Secretary, Beenzu Chikuba said that the opening of Lafarge Cement depot in Chipata District was welcome because the province was growing at a fast rate.
Ms Chikuba appealed to Lafarge to increase its storage capacity, so that the province did not run out of cement.
Meanwhile, Senior Chief Nzamane said the coming of Lafarge to Eastern Province would address the shortage of cement in the province and assist contractors in the new districts of Sinda and Vubwi to do quality building works.
