K1bn brick-making plant opens in Lilongwe
Former Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development Atupele Muluzi on Thursday opened a $1.5 million (about K1 billion) durabric production plant in Lilongwe, a venture set to reduce usage of trees in brick-making.
The plant, situated at Kanengo Industrial Area, is co-owned by 14 Trees and Lafarge Affordable Building Limited.
The company is making bricks from soil, sand and cement and does not require firewood to burn the bricks.
Muluzi, who has been moved to Ministry of Health and Population in President Peter Mutharika’s Cabinet reshuffle yesterday, hailed the firm, saying it will go a long way in reducing deforestation in the country.
He said: “With a high population growth rate and high urbanisation rate, there is growing demand for burnt bricks and building materials. Our forests are too often being destroyed due to fuel kilns and ovens to provide burnt bricks to meet the construction demand.
“We can no longer afford to continue this unsustainable practice and this is why I am pleased to see LafargeHolcim and 14 Trees coming up with this project which offers sustainable alternative solutions on the market.”
Muluzi said the plant offers best solutions for both people and the environment.
“We need to focus on promoting this important affordable solution and my ministry is committed to implementing a number of key policies to ensure that we conserve our forests and support the development of Malawi in a sustainable way,” said Muluzi.
14 Trees managing director and head of Africa operations Didier Chayramy said they have partnered LafargeHolcim and CDC, a United Kingdom financial institution from Department for International Development (DfID).
“For those surprised with the name 14 Trees, we potentially save 14 trees when building a standard three-bedroomed house with durabric. So far, we have produced and sold 400 000 bricks and in the process saved 800 trees,” he said.
LafargeHolcim Malawi chief executive officer Albert Sigel described the launch of the durabric from 14 Trees a milestone in the promotion of innovation, sustainability and environmental protection.
“This is another step in our commitment to supporting government and the housing ministry in particular to spur development with responsible, sustainable and environmentally-friendly construction,” he said.
WHILE THIS IS AN APPLUADABLE INNOVATION, I HOPE IT WILL BE ROLLED TO MZUZU, ZOMBA AND BLANTYRE SOON AND THEN TO DISTRICTS WHERE DEMAND FOR SUCH MATERIAL IS HIGH. THIS IS A MATTER OF URGENCY
This is good. I hope the prices are affordable. Otherwise people in the rural areas will still use trees if the bricks are expensive. Secondly, government shud also set up a similar company. Dfid is owned by the British government. So they will be making money and taking it to UK. Can govt of Malawi stop being sleepy. Such a company shud have been established 20 year ago. Government has been crying about deforestation. But has not come up any tangible solution.