By CHATULA KANGALI –

NDOLA Lime Limited has bemoaned the low consumption of hydrated lime in the construction sector in the country.
Chief marketing and sales executive Francis Lwanga said in an interview that hydrated lime was less used in the construction of buildings, roads and other infrastructure in the country.
He said the demand for the product locally was low compared to its export market.
“Despite lime being an important  material  in construction and building, it is less used  in Zambia compared to Zimbabwe and  Malawi were it is mostly used  with clay soil to make bricks, plastering of houses and construction of  roads,”  he said.
Mr Lwanga said hydrated lime has for a long time now been used by many countries in the construction of buildings and other infrastructure.
He said that lime was a key ingredient in mortar and plaster and those roads and structures that used lime during construction had a longer lifespan
“Hydrated lime improves the quality of building by providing smooth finishing, it prevents moisture that causes damage on building as well as prolonging lifespan,” he said.
Mr Lwanga said that lime in the construction sector in Zambia was less used due to lack of sensitisation.
He said Ndola lime had for this reason embarked on promoting the use of hydrated lime in the construction industry in the country.
He  urged  stakeholders such as  Engineering  Institute of Zambia(EIZ),National Construction Council(NCC)  and  the Zambia Institute of Architects (ZIA)  to start  promoting  the use  of lime in construction.