5th December 2003

Portland job to be advertised

The government has promised to name a new managing director for the troubled East African Portland Cement Company by February next year.

Trade and Industry minister Dr Mukhisa Kituyi said his office would soon place advertisements in the media inviting applications from those interested in job.

“We have been loyal to the primacy of due process since this saga started. That will not change. The former managing director Emmanuel Birya Charo was dismissed on the recommendations of a full board meeting. I acted within my authority in appointing a temporary replacement, as we sought the best way forward,” Dr Kituyi said.

He was referring to his recent appointment of a senior deputy secretary in his ministry, Mary Ngari to replace Mr Charo, who had led the firm through a bruising price war with market leader and key Portland shareholder, Bamburi Cement, during his short stint, was shown the door after the board questioned a Sh1.5 million in-house loan he had already repaid.