"Cement prices to drop to Shs 20,000 per bag" assures new cement firm

DAVID OCHIENG

As pressure mounts on cement manufacturers to reduce the skyrocketing prices; Simba Cement, a new player projects that cement price will drop from Shs 40,000 to Shs 20,000 for a 50 kg bag.

Simba Cement Country Director, Patel Vishinu, told the minister of state for Investment, Evelyn Anite, that once they start production, prices will drop.

The factory which is located in Tororo is expected to begin production in June this year.

At a time when construction has been hit by the surging cement prices which have risen to Shs 40,000 from Shs 28,000 in March, government has been pressurising  manufacturers to reduce prices.

Last week, government issued a three weeks ultimatum to manufacturers to reduce prices or else they will allow importation of cheap cement.

But Vishinu said this will not be necceasery.

"We are putting final touches to the factory. I believe before the end of May or in June, we will be up and running. This will bring down the price of cement," he said.

Anite said if this comes to pass, it will bring relief to those in the construction industry.

"We want the construction sector to grow and if the prices come down, it will be good," she said.

Simba factory is also expected to produce uron sheets; which will be a big boost to the sector.