BUJUMBURA, BURUNDI - Burundi Cement Company (BUCECO) has begun the production of cement in it's factory in the northern province of Chibitoke. The managing director, Aime Mananda, said this in a press conference in Bujumbura last week.
"BUSECO is producing cement following international conventions and ISO standards. We have a modern state of the art factory that will provide cement of a higher quality than what is available on the market." He said.
Burundians have been importing all their cement from their East African Community (EAC) neighbours (Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania). The production of cement in this tiny land-locked east African country is great news because this provides employment and a cheaper source of cement.
"We have good news for Burundians, the cement we produce will be cheaper than what is currently found on the market," said Mananda. "Our 50kg bag of cement shall be available at retail stores at only 20,000 FBU (Burundi Francs), an equivalent USD 16.
Burundi builders and businessmen have been buying a bag of cement from EAC countries at 21,500 FBU (USD 17.2).
Mr. Mananda further revealed that Burundians consume around 400,000 tonnes of cement per year. By offering a better price, BUCECO cement would save Burundians a whooping 12 billion Burundi Francs (9.6 million US Dollars) in cement purchases per year," he added.
The MD said BUCECO still faces challenges because they have to import their raw materials and there has been an irregular supply of electricity and water to their plant.
However, they say they have put in place certain measures to alleviate these problems and are also in talks with Regie de Production et de Distribution d'eau et d'electrcite (REGIDESO), Burundi's sole electricity and water utility provider to work out a suitable arrangement
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