Business News of Sunday, 23 December 2018
Source: citinewsroom.com
2018-12-23
Samuel Atta-Akyea, Works and Housing Minister
Minister for Works and Housing Samuel Atta-Akyea has bemoaned the dumping of inferior cement unto the local markets which he says possess serious hazard to the housing industry.
The minister believes this is the cause of the constant collapse of buildings in the country.
He made these remarks at the CIMAF customer Awards dinner held in Accra to award their customers for patronizing their services and making them competitive in the cement industry.
Addressing a gathering at the CIMAF customer awards dinner, Mr. Atta Akyea admitted that the dumping of inferior goods onto the local market continues to be a major challenge to the industry.
He however assured that government is working to resolve the issue.
“My major concern is the dumping of inferior products and it is about time that if we want to really affect local production, we address the concerns of dumping. What it means is that they come and undercut the market, sell inferior products which have consequences for our building. This is a chief concern and it will soon be addressed”.
Meanwhile, deputy trade minister Carlos Ahenkorah who was also present at the event said his ministry is working diligently to rid the country of substandard cement.
“The point is we have the Ghana Standards Authority which is in charge of the standardization of cement and I can tell you unequivocally the GSA is seriously in charge when it comes to the standards of cement. They pick up samples from the production line intermittently to ensure that the quality of cement churned out from that factory is of international standard,” he added.
He further called on cement companies such as CIMAF to employ more people into the cement industry as help reduce unemployment in Ghana.
Meanwhile Deputy General Manager and Technical Director at CIMAF , Mohamed Naciri said his outfit will ensure quality cement production is a priority in Ghana.
He further acknowledged and thanked their customers for promoting and trusting CIMAF brand of cement.
“Our customers are our reason of being and it is the most important element in our business. We have been working on reinforcing our brand and reinforcing our presence and, thanks to our customers that we could achieve this success.” He said.
CIMAF established a construction cement plant worth 62.9 million dollars in Ghana two years ago.
As the sole Moroccan investment in Ghana, with a fix production capacity of 1million tons yearly, the corporation is generating more than 200 jobs at the operational stage, and extra 5000 indirect jobs in cement distribution and transport haulage.
Some of the companies that swept home awards include Onokwafo Building, K Nyame Builders, Jacob 78, K Ofori Company Limited, Estaaron Ventures, Prikwak Ventures, and Nana K Gyasi Company Limited.