Lafarge to double cement production in Nigeria

To meet the demand of both local and foreign cement customers, Lafarge Cement WAPCO Nigeria is reportedly planning to double its production capacity this year, with the commissioning of a new cement factory in Ewekoro, Ogun state.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the company, Mr. Samy Abdelkader, recently noted that the almost completed new plant is expected to double the current production capacity of the company with 2.5 million t when it commences production in August.

The new plant will be a part of Lafarge’s response to the federal government’s integration policy that aims at self-sufficiency in cement production.

According to Abdelkader, the addition of a 2.5 million t capacity would go along way in achieving an appreciable stability in the nation’s cement sub-sector, which will impact positively on the product’s affordability for customers in the long run.

After the commissioning of the Lakatabu plant in August, it is estimated that through this development, the company will be contributing around 12 000 t of cement daily to the Nigerian cement market.

The new plant will be a further testimony to the company’s leadership in innovation, as it has the capacity to produce four different qualities of cement to better suit customers’ requirements, Abdelkader added.

The company employed over 3000 people during the two-and-half years it took to build the new plant. In keeping with the company’s commitment to engage young Nigerians in gainful employment, 70% of the workers were locals.

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/africa-middle-east/15062011/lafarge_to_double_cement_production_in_nigeria/