The ‘‘Ahlia’’ National Cement Company announced yesterday that all its previously stalled plants have resumed operations after a closure since August.
The company said this comes as part of ongoing efforts to reactivate the company and restore its role in supporting the local market.
The company said its steering committee continues to implement its urgent plan to address operational and technical challenges, restart the plants, boost production rates, and supply cement to the market.
It assured that operations have resumed at previously idled plants—a move taken to restart production and enhance the company's capacity to supply cement to citizens, projects, and various sectors.
In this context, Al-Saghir Mohamed Maeilf—Chairman of the Board and General Manager of the National Investment Holding Company (the owner of Ahlia), and Chairman of the General Assembly of the National Cement Company—conducted a field visit to the company.
During the visit, he inspected workflow and plant conditions and met with steering committee members to review the work plan and measures adopted for the upcoming phase.
The Chairman of the General Assembly commended the steering committee's efforts, affirming his unlimited support for the committee in carrying out its duties. He emphasized the need to continue working with a sense of responsibility and to accelerate practical measures to restore production momentum and resolve existing challenges.
The steering committee reaffirms that ensuring the availability of cement and maintaining production are top priorities.
Fairness and transparency in sales and distribution
It further confirms that sales and distribution operations will be conducted through clear, organized mechanisms that guarantee fairness, transparency, and equal opportunity for all beneficiaries, without discrimination.
The committee said it is also continuing to work on addressing technical and operational bottlenecks and gradually enhancing plant efficiency, thereby strengthening the company's ability to meet market needs and restore its role in supporting the cement sector and the national economy.
Yesterday cement was retailing at LD 91/quintar for cash sales in Tripoli.
As mentioned, in August this year the Ahlia Cement company's plants in Zliten and Khoms were forced to close by government security forces. There were conflicting reports circulating about the reasons for the forced closure.
Some reports say Force 112, affiliated with the Joint Operations Force, and Force 77, closed the headquarters of the National Cement Company, along with the Libda, Al-Marqab, and Arabiya Zliten cement plants, expelling employees and preventing them from entering.
These reports say this action came after the cement company's chairman and CEO refused to cease reserving and dispensing quantities of cement for their own private companies, amounting to approximately 60 truckloads or more daily.
That is, due to suspicions of corruption related to cement distribution operations by management.
The opposing viewpoint is that an armed group from Misrata stormed the headquarters of the cement company, in a move aimed at seizing all cement order reservations and selling them in the market to citizens at prices exceeding five times their original price.
Libya’s state cement manufacturing sector the subject of deep corruption for decades
The state cement manufacturing sector in Libya has been the subject of deep corruption for decades. Locally produced and indirectly subsidised cement, through cheap electricity, is often retailed at the same price or even more than imported cement.
It is, therefore, hoped that with the appointment of a new Steering Committee there will indeed be more transparency and fairness in the distribution of cement.
Security Forces Close Ahlia Cement Plants in Zliten and Khoms