AshakaCem rolls out plans to shore up capacity to 4m tons

Ashaka Cement (AshakaCem) has unveiled plans to increase production to 4 million metric tons, from its current 1 million tons capacity. The project entails N100 billion investments on existing and new plants as well as a coal-fired captive power plant (CPP) that can supply regular electricity during the production process.

“We are now increasing the production capacity to 4 million tons per annum by improving the existing cement plant to 1.5 million tons per annum. This will entail the building of a coal-fired captive power plant (CPP) and building of a complete new cement plant of 2.5 million tons per annum capacity at the total estimated cost of over N100 billion,’’ said Umaru Kwairanga, chairman, AshakaCem, during the expansion capacity groundbreaking ceremony held in Gombe State.

AshakaCem, a subsidiary of Lafarge SA and one of the five major cement makers in Nigeria, plans to invest N20 billion out of the total budget on a 64 megawatts (mw) power plant and is hoping to access financing through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Intervention Fund, said Kwairanga.

Similarly, the company has a total number of 640 employees and as part of the engineering succession plans employs graduates and artisan trainees to create employment and prepare others for self-employment, he said, stressing that the firm’s capacity to burn lignite from its Maigangacoal mine has increased profitability for all stakeholders.

According to Guillame Roux, director, AshakaCem, the company employs about 400 people indirectly as transporters and subcontractors, adding that the firm has about 6000 hectares while about 60 percent of it is used by local farmers, accommodating over 500 families.

“It is not only about size; it is about using the maximum extent possible local resources. In Ashaka, beyond the use of limestone – the basic material for cement making, we are taking great pride in having worked hard over the past few years, to use local coal as fuel as well as local gypsum and pozzolana,’’ he said.