Lafarge Cement Pleads for Deported Chilanga Boss, Zambia

Lafarge Cement regional president Africa Tony Hadley presented the deportation case of Chilanga Cement Plc managing director Ian Coulter to President Mwanawasa for his consideration. 

Lafarge Cement is the major shareholder in Chilanga Cement Plc and was headed by Mr Coulter before the then Home Affairs minister Ronnie Shikapwasha deported him last year in November. 

Lieutenant-General Shikapwasha deported Mr Coulter, a Zimbabwean, on grounds that he posed a danger to the peace and good order of the nation. 

Briefing journalists at State House after a closed door meeting with President Mwanawasa, Mr Hadley said the deportation of Mr Coulter was one of the issues his team discussed with Mr Mwanawasa.   He said: "We presented the deportation of Chilanga Cement Plc chief executive case to the President who committed to look into it and act accordingly." 

Mr Hadley said he looked forward to the outcome of President Mwanawasa’s consideration over the matter. 

He said modalities of expanding the capacity of Chilanga Cement Plc to meet the growing market demand was another issue discussed with the President in the meeting. 

Mr Hadley said Lafarge had since launched a feasibility study project on the capacity building of the company. He said the study would be completed before the end of this year. 

He added that the objective of the study was to determine whether Chilanga Cement Plc had the capacity to service the Zambian cement market that continued to grow quickly owing to Zambia’s strong economy.