Construction work has started on Jah Multi Industrial Company Ltd's cement plant in Bafuloto, in the West Coast region of Gambia.

Sheriff Faye, operational manager of Jah Multi Industrial Co (JMIC), said the plant will not be commissioned until 2020, but the company would be supplying the local market with cement before then. Two vessels of cement will dock at the port every 10 days, he claims, to earn the confidence of consumers.

Mr Faye added that within a period of two months, the constraint of cement supply will be a thing of the past and that JMIC can meet the demand for cement in the country. By the end of April, there would be sufficient cement supply.

JMIC has built four new silos that have a total cement capacity of 10,000t. If the silo system under construction is ready, it will have the capacity to make 200,000tph bags of cement. This work is expected to complete in two months," he explained.

He disclosed some socio-economic contributions made by JMIC in terms of financing the construction of feeder roads, a community police station and mosques among others.

JMIC notes that its cement is imported from Spain and Algeria, and bagged in Gambia. It points out that as the largest cement producer in the country, Jah Multi Industry has the capacity to produce 4200 bags/h,  108,000 bags/day or close to 300,000 bags at full capacity. This, it says, is enough to supply the entire West Coast and Greater Banjul regions.

"At the regional level, there are two outlets in Farafenni and Basse, to meet the demand," the company said. According to its press release, the cost of Tiger Cement remains at GMD250 per 50kg bag (US$5.04/bag) at the factory and at all Jah Oil outlets with a minimum purchase of 100 bags.