Zambia Consolidated Copper Mine Investment Holding (ZCCM-IH) Cement has had to defend the construction of a US$600m cement plant in Masaiti District on the Copperbelt province.

Some 47 households are expected to be displaced to pave way for the construction of the plant.

ZCCM-IH Cement Stirring Committee Chairperson, Mwila Lumbwe, said ZCCM-IH is partnering with Central African Cement Ltd, which is spearheading the development of the project in Masaiti.

In July last year, President Edgar Lungu graced the ground-breaking ceremony of the cement project.

Mr Lumbwe said the project would take 36 months to complete. The project would also create a 1000 jobs in various fields during construction phase and after completion, 400 permanent jobs would be created.

“It is our hope that the people in Chief Chiwala’s area will benefit from the new opportunities that will be created by Central African Cement,” he said.

However, Mr Lumbwe said the 47 households that would be displaced were in the factory area, adding that others that farmed in the same area, would also be compensated, and the value minimum for construction for each household would be ZMW108,000 (US$11,126).

Mr Lumbwe said it would significantly enhance the capacity of Ndola Lime Company which would be supplying limestone for the new plant. He added that the plant would generate 57MW of power and that there would be a surplus of 38MW, which would be released into the grid and possibly exported, adding that the plant would bring opportunities for the Zambian economy at large.

Copperbelt Permanent Secretary, Bright Nundwe, said the factory would sit on 75ha plot, adding that no one would be affected in terms of displacement and decent houses would be built for them before relocation.

Source: PG Zambia