The Copperbelt Forestry Company (CFC) says it expects a revenue boost this year due to ZESCO’s interest in procuring poles locally.
In March this year, the power utility company ZESCO, shortlisted 10 foreign companies from South Africa and Zimbabwe to supply 9 and 12 metre wooden poles to the company on the pretext that no Zambian company is capable of supplying the poles. CFC confirmed to the ZBT that it had the capacity to supply ZESCO with the required poles.
Company Managing Director James Mulenga said the company is expecting a full deal and if given the deal, CFC will be complementing each other with Zambia Forestry and Forest Industries Corporation (ZAFFICO) in supplying the poles to ZESCO.
Speaking in an interview with the Zambian Business Times-ZBT, Mulenga said ZAFFICO is cutting 40,000 poles and CFC is cutting about 30, 000 poles therefore the two companies should be able to supply the poles to ZESCO.
Mulenga said he is hopeful that the deal will be given to both companies adding that ZAFFICO has already started supplying the poles to ZESCO as it has dry poles.
“The projections for the year 2022 look positive with the interest from ZESCO wanting to buy electric poles locally. We hope that part is going to boost our sales for this year if ZESCO comes on board. The hope is that by 3rd quarter, the demand for the poles will come into strum”, he said.
He noted that the company faced numerous challenges with financing during the Covid-19 pandemic and was not fortunate that enough to access any of the stimulus packages from government noting that the company is just recovering.
