Firm launches $300,000 cable concrete block plant

Mon, 28 Nov 2016 20:12:39 +0000

A LOCAL construction company, Fair-Face Enterprises, has partnered with a Canadian company, the International Erosion Control Systems Incorporated (IECS) to set up a cable concrete manufacturing plant in Zambia at a cost of over US$300,000.

Cable concrete is an articulated concrete block system with low installation costs and is specifically designed for erosion protection and is used in permeable paving applications such as access roads and pedestrian pathways, among others.

Fair-Face Enterprise Limited executive director Henry Ngulube said the company had invested about US$300,000 to bring in equipment from India and Canada.

Mr Ngulube said production of the blocks had started, saying the company was just waiting for orders from local enterprises.

He was speaking after media tour of the cable concrete moulding plant in Chalala, Lusaka, on Thursday.

“We were invited by the Canadian High Commission  who told us that there was a company which was looking for a partner to start producing cable concrete in Zambia; we accepted to partner and signed a memorandum of understanding in May last year,” he said.

He said the company was currently producing 24 tonnes (eight mats) per day, adding that the company was ready to upscale production once it started receiving orders.

Mr Ngulube said the company was intending to invest another US$150,000 to buy mixer trucks which would help to move the moulds around Zambia.

He said most of the materials used to make the cable concrete were sourced locally except for the moulds and the stainless cables which were imported, adding that the company was optimistic that the product would penetrate the Zambian market.

Housing and Infrastructure Development permanent secretary Charles Mushota noted that Zambia had not been spared by the effects of climate change, hence the new technology could come in handy in mitigating some of the effects.

Engineer Mushota said there was need to support such technologies that aimed at protecting the environment from both the effects of economic activities as well as climate change.

He was speaking in a speech read on his behalf by acting director of planning in the ministry Chembo Mbula.

He said Government was determined to support initiatives that promoted the protection of the environment while enhancing the continuation of economic activities as well as unimpeded movement of people and goods.

“Government is currently undertaking various road and infrastructure development programmes which may be in dire need of the application of such technologies,” he said.