Diamond Cement resumes production in Aflao

Aflao (V/R), May 24, GNA - Diamond Cement Ghana Limited (DCGL) at Aflao resumed normal production of cement on Tuesday May 22 after a three-week shut down due to lack of electricity.

Power to the factory was cut as a result of the destruction of a transformer at the GRIDCO power substation serving the factory by lightning during a rainstorm.

The shutdown of the factory which provides 35 percent of the country's cement needs sparked a shortfall of the product on the market pushing prices up to Gh¢ 25.00 at the retail level from about Gh¢ 15.00.

A source close to the factory, which was producing 100,000 bags or 5,000 tonnes of cement per day confirming the resumption of production to the GNA, said production had been smooth at pre-shutdown targets.

He admitted that there was pressure on the factory to supply the large number of paid up customers who could not be served before the shutdown saying the factory was going strictly by the date of payment basis.

The source was hopeful that the shortfall in the market would soon be met.

Dealers in the product at Denu and Aflao were however yet to receive any supplies as at Thursday afternoon as revealed by a GNA survey.

GNA