Contractors within the Mt Kenya region and its environs got a relief after an investor put up an asphalt concrete plant in Embu county.

The plant is set to commence operations today.

Contractors from the area have for long complained about travelling long distances to procure the asphalt concrete for construction of roads with many citing high transport costs.

Speaking during the commissioning of the plant at Kangaru, Embu West Sub County, the Chief Executive Officer of Eagle 1 company, Ken Mwaniki said the plant will ease the construction work within the region as contractors will no longer need to travel long distances to source the commodity.

“This plant will reduce the distances contractors have been travelling to look for asphalt concrete to make roads in this region. They will be able to source it locally and that is why I decided to invest here,” he said.

Mwaniki said the plant will create more job opportunities for the locals especially the youths.

He noted that the plant has so far employed 500 people, majority of them locals, with a plan to increase the number going forward,

Mwaniki also stated that in line wit the government’s policy to have many youths trained in technical courses, the plant will facilitate internship for such students.

Some of the youth who have already secured employment in the firm urged other investors to consider putting up other investments in order to create more jobs opportunities.