Displaying items by tag: Government
Caribbean Cement produces record volumes of cement in 2020
13 January 2021Jamaica: Caribbean Cement says that it produced a record 0.94Mt of cement in 2020 due to market demand. This has been attributed to capital investment, positive government policies in response to the coronavirus pandemic, the company’s own reaction and the ‘expertise’ of its employees. It said it did not experience an overall loss of productive time due to closures related to the public health situation. Heavy rainfall, inconsistent power supplies and disruptions to mining in the third quarter of 2020 prevented the cement producer from surpassing 1Mt for the year.
“The market responded opposite to what might have been expected given the pandemic. Instead of slowing down, construction grew, and we kept in step with our customers by meeting their demand consistently. We will continue to ramp up production as the market grows,” said Yago Castro, General Manager of Caribbean Cement. He added, “The Government of Jamaica assessed the situation well and allowed critical sectors to continue operating once certain protocols were followed. Prioritising health, while keeping economic goals in mind, have mitigated against the negative impact on our sector.”
Department of Trade and Industry to establish new cement testing facility in the Philippines
13 January 2021Philippines: The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) plans to establish a new cement testing facility. The Philippine News Agency has reported that the department has made an allocation in its 2021 budget for the facility.
DTI Bureau of Product Standards (BPS) Catajay said “For setting up a testing facility for cement by BPS, our target is to finish within the first half of 2021. Our procurement of equipment is on-going, so that we can conduct testing in the third quarter of 2021.”
The Philippines presently has two cement testing facilities.
Cameroon: Nigeria-based Dangote Cement plans to increase the capacity of its 1.5Mt/yr Douala cement grinding plant near the Cameroonian capital of Yaoundé to 3Mt/yr. The Nigerian Guardian newspaper has reported that the company’s current expansion plan aims at exploiting multiple trade routes within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Aliko Dangote said that the plant is “our largest greenfield project in a neighbouring country with which we not only share a border but also a long history of brotherly relations dating from our colonial days. Owing to the rich culture and history that we share, we have a better understanding of Cameroon.” He added, “Our desire to increase our investment with the Phase-2 project is based on not only the fast growth rate of the Cameroonian economy but also due to the warm welcome extended to us and the enabling environment created by the government of Cameroon. Our choice of Cameroon for this multi-million-dollar investment is quite strategic. Cameroon is the largest economy in Central Africa and is well endowed with abundant natural resources. The country also enjoys political stability, adequate security and growing infrastructural development. In addition, President Biya has created an enabling environment that has continued to attract investors both from within and outside the African continent.”
Block manufacturers warn of rising cement prices in Nigeria
08 January 2021Nigeria: The National Association of Block Moulders of Nigeria (NABMON) has warned that its members are struggling to continue their trade due to the high price of cement. The Daily Independent newspaper has attributed the price rise to post-coronavirus shutdown maintenance challenges in the cement industry, increased exports, logistical disruptions and an unseasonably high demand for cement. The association is lobbying government to put in place and enforce competition laws to help return the price to a more ‘stable’ level.
Libya: Tripoli residents whose homes have been damaged during fighting between government and Libyan National Army forces will receive priority access to cement. The Libya Herald has reported that the Libyan Interior Ministry has established a committee to coordinate between state-owned Ahlia Cement Company and citizens involved in reconstruction. It said that the committee will update people who have ordered cement on their scheduled deliveries. The initiative is intended to overcome allegations of corruption connected to obtaining cement from the producer.
India: Meghalaya Cement, Star Cement and Amrit Cement have been accused of illegally mining 1.8Mt of limestone in Meghalaya between 2013 and 2018. The Northeast Now newspaper has reported that the companies mined the limestone in a tribal area of the state without environmental, forest or wildlife clearance or No Objection Certificates (NOCs). Local cement producers also allegedly owe the state government around US$40m in related limestone mining licence fees. All three cement producers reportedly made donations to a local political party.
The state government is also investigating allegations that two of the cement producers have polluted two local rivers, Wah Lukha and Wah Lunar. The former river allegedly turned ‘deep blue’ due to pollution.
Bab Sahara Company launches Guelmim cement plant project
06 January 2021Morocco: Bab Sahara Company is building a new cement plant in Guelmim, Guelmim-Oued Noun. Le Desk has reported that the company is a joint venture between three private investors, including Tarfaya City Council Chair Abdelhay Hartoun. An environmental impact study for the project was started in late December 2020 by the Ministry of the Interior.
Rock Hard Cement says it will close for one month in Trinidad
05 January 2021Trinidad & Tobago: Rock Hard Cement says it will close during January 2021 in Trinidad due to alleged changes in government tariffs on imported cement. It hopes to reopen In February 2021, according to the Trinidad & Tobago Guardian newspaper. The company has published advertisements in local media warning of potential price rises of up to 80% in 2021. As well as changes to import costs the cement importer claims that the quantity of imported cement will be restricted to 75,000t/yr. The Ministry of Trade and Industry said it couldn’t comment on the matter as it is currently undergoing legal proceedings.
Najran receives licence for transportation subsidiary
05 January 2021Saudi Arabia: The Ministry of Transport has granted Najran Cement a licence to launch its own limited liability transportation company. Reuters News has reported that the company is in the process of obtaining the final licence for the launch.
Oman: The Consumer Protection Authority (CPA) has intervened to suspend operations at a cement producing facility in Al Dhahirah Governorate. The Times of Oman has reported that the suspension results from repeated complaints to the CPA’s consumer protection department about product quality. The operation is also suspended from selling its goods.