Lafarge Zambia: sufficient stocks to cater for demand

With Zambia readying itself to co-host the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) General Assembly later this year, the official distributor of Lafarge Zambia’s products has said the cement producer has adequate stocks to meet demand.

The city of Livingstone is currently undertaking a number of projects such as construction of the town centre market, international bus terminus, new stadium, ablution blocks and upgrading of roads among others. The UNWTO is scheduled for 24-29 August 2013 and will be held in Livingstone, Zambia and Victoria Falls Town, Zimbabwe.

Suhails International Ltd, official distributors and agents for Lafarge products in Southern Province,  told local press that the Lafarge Cement Zambia Livingstone depot had more than 9000 bags to cater for various construction projects in Southern Province. Suhails manager Freddy Siboleka said in an interview with Afrique en Ligue that his company, in partnership with Lafarge, would ensure that all Government, private sector and individual projects in Southern province, were supplied with adequate stocks of cement. Lafarge Cement Zambia recently donated 6000 bags or 300t of cement to Livingstone City Council to support the rehabilitation of roads and other infrastructure in the city.

With more than 80 per cent of the market and a total capacity of 1.3Mta, Lafarge Cement Zambia is currently the dominant producer. The company operates two plants, a cement mill and packing unit in Chilanga (0.85Mta) and one in Ndola (0.45Mta). The Ndola works had been offline from June 2010 due to low demand, but operations resumed in 2H2012 as demand picked up, and now produces at full capacity.