Cement Production: Gov't pledges regular supply

The Minister of Trade, Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana meeting with local producers of cement this Thursday 1st October 2014 has pledged regular supply of cement in the country.

The discussion between both parties comes on the heels of the recent ban on the importation of cement by the government of Cameroon.

Cement importers and local producers who have been given the last quarter of 2014 to clear their stocks assured the minister of a constant supply of the product in the market for the remaining three months.

During the meeting, the Minister of Trade and stakeholders in the cement sector jointly analysed problems faced by the cement market in the country and later proposed solutions.

It emerged from the discussions that domestic consumption of cement stands at 2.2 million metric tons per annum with importations estimated at over one million metric tons.

Local producers like Cimencam estimated that about 550,000 metric tons of the product will be needed to round off the year meanwhile Cimencam officials indicated that the outfit is capable of producing 300,000 metric tons for the next three months.

Cimaf (Moroccan firm) said the factory could produce 125,000 metric tons between now and December while Dangote, promised a probable start with 120,000 metric tons Main dealers importaters like Quiferou said 265,000 tons are envisaged to be shipped in, with about 164,000 tons already on the waters en route to Cameroon.

Local importers like Fokou, Sorepco and Afrique Construction expressed worries due to holdups at the port but declared their intentions to supply 350 metric tons of cement during the last quarter of the year.

The Minister encouraged local producers to redouble efforts in order to step up local production and bail out the country from importations which disrupts balance of trade.