Fiji Industries denies cement shortage

Fiji Industries Ltd (FIL) has denied claims made by the special administrator of Suva City Council (SCC) of a cement shortage.

Suva City Council’s (SCC) special administrator, Chandu Umaria, has claimed that the Terry Walk pathway construction project was facing delays because of a shortage of cement supplies. Umaria maintained that SCC’s cement distributor was not supplied with adequate volumes.

Last month, cement supplies to the island and surrounding areas were temporarily disrupted following a breakdown of the cement mill at FIL’s grinding plant. However, supplies were said to have resumed shortly afterwards. Speaking to FijiLive yesterday, general manager of FIL, Mosese Natuilagilagi said that there are more than enough supplies for all.

Following on Umaria, stated: “Thanks to the media, we have been informed today by the FIL about supplies. The Terry Walk pathway construction will resume immediately."  The new walkway was due to be completed early this year, however, it is now expected to be completed before Easter.

Competition to increase

FIL is currently the sole cement producer on the Pacific island, operating a 0.18Mta grinding plant. However, the the make-up of the Fiji cement sector is set to change with China-based Tengy Cement is to construct the island’s second cement plant, a move that has been encouraged by the Fijian government. It hopes that the new market entrant will help lower cement prices which have traditionally been dominated by FIL.