By CHATULA KAMPO –
NDOLA Lime Company says it is not threatened with its up-coming competitors in lime manufacturing industry as this will help it grow and contribute massively to the economic development of Zambia.
Managing Director Abraham Witika said the company welcomes any competition as long as it was fair and would result in raising the bar of performance in the industry which will benefit the customers and the nation at large.
Mr Witika added that the company had invested in a new state-of-the-art, which will result in increased production capacity and reduced cost.
“We have invested in the state of the art Terruzzi Fercalx shaft kiln a Cimprogetti Hydrating, power substations and coal grinding and handling infrastructure.
“These investments will result in Ndola Lime Company becoming more reliable, increase economic capacity and reduce costs,” he said.
He said the company had been paying taxes to Government and refuted allegations that it owed Government K2.5 million in unpaid mineral loyalties allegedly appearing in the Auditors General Report.
He said the company as at the end of March this year had paid K2.59 million in taxes to the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA).
Mr Witika noted that the recent increase in the cost of Heavy Fuel Oils (HFO) had increased the cost of production at the lime manufacturing company.
He said the company was, however, taking care of the environment and was complying with the law with regard to the statutory limits on dust emissions.
“We have invested K17 million on dust abatement equipment on the Rotary Kiln and further K10.1million on the Vertical Kiln. Additionally K2.24 million was invested for dust abatement at the crusher bringing the total to K31.58 million over the last 3 years.”
He said the investments were a clear demonstration that the company was committed to its obligations under the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) environmental management plans.