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Business News of Friday, 22 February 2013

Source: Abdul Karim Naatogmah

GHACEM re-opens depot in Tamale

As part of its commitment to improve the availability and distribution of cement in the northern regions, GHACEM has resurrected its defunct depot in Tamale to be the central distribution point for the three regions of the north.

Nana Philip Archer explained that the re-opening of the depot was to ensure efficiency in the products delivery. He disclosed that GHACEM’s customers in the three northern regions will be allocated 30,000 bags of cement weekly.

The GHACEM Commercial Director said the move would not only ease the burden on retailers and contractors who incurred high transportation cost, but will also boost availability and accessibility.

The Tamale depot was closed in 2007 for unknown reasons.

The situation affected the activities of contractors who had no option than to depend on other private cement producers as their source for cement.

Nana Philip assured the company’s clients of constant supply through the expansion of its plant which is expected to be producing one million tonnes of cement.

He reiterated the company’s determination to maintain its customer loyalty by improving the products quality.

Nana Philip also allayed the fears of GHACEM’s customers that the recent hikes in utility services will not affect its pricing policies in the market. The company as part of its social corporate responsibility donated 15,000 bags of cement for distribution to some selected schools and health facilities in the Tamale metropolis.

The caretaker Northern Regional Minister, Moses Bukari Mabengba reiterated government’s commitment to strengthen private partnership in line with the Better Ghana Agenda to address the unemployment situation in the region.

With the re-introduction of the Tamale Rehabilitation Programme under the auspices of GHACEM, he anticipated that enough employment opportunities will flourish in the area.

Mr. Mabengba thereby urged distributors and artisans to take advantage of the opportunity to contribute their quota to the nation’s development.

He however cautioned the distributors and retailers against hoarding of the products which is likely to create artificial shortage.

Mr. Mabengba commended residents of the area for their peaceful co-existence saying, “This will attract investors to this part of our country.”

The chief of Lamashegu, Chairman for the occasion, Naa Alhaji Ziblim Abdulai commended GHACEM for re-opening the depot and assured the company of his unflinching support to enable them succeed.