THE construction industry is expected to gain momentum in the near future following the commissioning of the multi-billion dollar Ohorongo cement plant in Otavi by President Hifikepunye Pohamba last week. The plant will finally break the long reliance of importing cement from South Africa.
Inaugurating the plant, President Hifikepunye applauded the Schwenk Group of companies for delivering on their promise to supply cement in both Namibia and Angola adding that it would go a long way in stabilising the prices in the country.
“This is a fulfilment of the dream that was set here two years ago and we will now build our country from cement manufactured from Namibia,” said Pohamba.
Prior to the conceptualisation of the idea of giving Namibia one of the most technologically advanced cement plant with a potential to produce 750,000 tones annually on full capacity the country was reliant on imports.
The plant, built within two years,was finished a few months ahead of its set completion date of June this year following a hefty loan injection from European Investment,the project’s major funders.
Although the project is expected to sustain the domestic market, Ohorongo Managing Director Hans-Willem Schuette said they are also keeping a close eye on both Angolan and Sadc in the future when production increases.
“We have an advantage of our central location and the availability of transport network to Namibia. This would make it easy for us to access the market,”Schuette said.
Schuette also said Ohorongo cement products would be accessible to the rest of the country within the next few months at affordable prices.
Some of the share holders in the multi-billion dollar project include the Schwenk Group that has branches in Europe, Development Bank of Namibia and the Southern African Development Bank.
Ohorongo cement plant has a staff complement of 200 and potential to create about 3,000 jobs.
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