The National Chief Imam, Shiekh Nuhu Sharubutu, yesterday cut the sod for the construction of the Kabore Fire Aqeous Foam Compound Technologies, a foam concentrate manufacturing factory.
The project, located at Nsawam, Eastern Region is the first of its kind in the West Africa sub-region.
Expected to be completed in 14 months, the project would focus on the production of foam concentrates for the purpose of fire extinguishing.
Speaking at the ceremony, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Kabore Group of Companies (KGC), AlhajiBukariHamiduKabore said the factory, when completed would serve the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), the country’s Oil and Gas industry, the marine and aviation sector and the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) amongst others.
He said the country must not continue to solely rely on importation for important emergency substances like foam concentrates, adding that “upon the completion of this factory we can serve ourselves anytime anywhere.”
Touching on the high global demand for foam, he indicated that the global fire fighting foam industry was pegged at $856.3 million dollars as at 2019 and was projected to reach $1.14billion dollars in 2027 with a growth rate of 4 per cent for 2020 to 2027.
He bemoaned that unfortunately, African countries had the lowest growth in the usage of foam with Asia and South America being the highest.
The slow growth in Africa, he said, had been attributed to the unavailability of foam producing companies on the African market, adding that the factory, when finished would contribute immensely in bridging the continental foam deficit.
Alhaji Kabore said “We are very delighted because this factory coincides with government’s agenda of industrialisation.”
On his part, the Chief Fire Officer, Julius Kuunuor, assured management of the KGC of his outfit’s preparedness to support in the training of fire wardens for the factory.
He also commended the company for their immense contribution towards the reduction of unemployment among the youth in the country.
He said the factory, when completed would go a long way in saving the country millions of dollars used for the importation of fire fighting materials.
BY RAISSA SAMBOU
