Cement Crisis Averted? Fijian Holdings Reports Progress Amid Repair Delays

Investment company Fijian Holdings Limited (FHL) has announced that its subsidiary, Pacific Cement Pte Limited (PCL), has made progress in repairing the damaged mill component that led to the temporary closure of its mill earlier this year. In a statement released to the South Pacific Stock Exchange (SPX) last Friday, FHL confirmed that commissioning of the mill has begun, although they are currently facing delays due to ongoing technical issues.

The engineering team at PCL, supported by specialized contractors, is actively addressing these challenges. FHL reassured stakeholders that they are dedicated to resolving the issues as swiftly and safely as possible, with regular updates promised throughout the commissioning process. The company also expressed gratitude to its customers and partners for their continued support during this period of uncertainty.

In March, PCL had to cease production for two to three months due to the mill breakdown. In anticipation of cement shortages, the company had even considered importing supplies to meet market demands. Fortunately, the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC) reported last month that there remains a sufficient supply of cement to satisfy local needs until PCL fully resumes operations. FCCC Chief Executive Senikavika Jiuta noted that both PCL and Tengy Cement are collaborating to ensure the stability of the cement supply chain, monitoring the situation closely, and offering assurances to consumers about potential shortages and price fairness.

This coordinated effort to maintain a stable cement supply comes as Fiji’s construction sector, despite having faced recent slowdowns—evidenced by an 8.9% decline in the value of completed infrastructure work—could be on the brink of recovery. This reflects a broader trend towards resilience in the industry, as local suppliers work together to navigate through current challenges. The outlook remains hopeful, with proactive steps towards meeting demand suggesting a potential rebound for the construction materials market in Fiji.