The Penden Cement Authority Limited’s (PCAL) cement production has gone down drastically for about a month now, after a gear box in one of its production mills broke down.
The current quantity of cement produced is not being able to meet even half of its total demand. The factory usually produces about 1,500 tonnes of cement in a day. However, after a gear box in one of its cement manufacturing mills broke down, the factory has been producing just about 400 tonnes of cement in two days.
The factory’s CEO said they will now stop using that production line too, as it is not economical. The broken gear was repaired, but it lasted for about four days. The management said a new gear box has been ordered but it will take over six months for the company to manufacture one. It will cost the company over Nu 2m to purchase a new one.
Currently the factory is looking for a second-hand gear box, which will cost about Nu 1.5m.
Meanwhile the breakdown has left the factory employees worried.
