Edmond Campbell and Tyrone Reid, Gleaner Reporters
A DELEGATION led by chief technical director in the Ministry of Development, Dennis Morrison, is to leave the island on Thursday for Cuba to make final arrangements for the importation of cement to ease the current shortage.
The latest development in the cement saga comes as the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party calls on Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller to intervene immediately to address the ongoing crisis.
Senator Shirley Williams, Opposition Spokesman on Industry, Commerce and Investment, charged that every aspect of the construction sector was currently paralysed by the chronic shortage of cement, resulting in thousands of persons being laid off and contractors and developers facing "financial disaster".
Ms. Williams' remarks, at least in part, have been corroborated by Raymond Cooper, vice-president of the Incorporated Masterbuilders Association of Jamaica (IMAJ). He told The Gleaner yesterday that the industry was still in severe turmoil because no bagged cement is available. "We have not got any bagged cement for the last few days," he lamented.
Mr. Cooper said imports promised by the Government should have reached the island already. "It should have been here by now."
NEW SHIPMENT TO COME
He revealed that several projects islandwide have stalled because the cement-starved industry is only getting bulk cement. "The situation is still unsatisfactory and something must be done," he said.
However, Information Minister Colin Campbell told journalists at yesterday's post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House that 24,000 tonnes of cement will be imported in three batches over the next three months. The shipments will arrive in May, June and July.
Government had announced that 64,000 tonnes of cement would be shipped from Cuba to supply the local market.
The balance of 40,000 tonnes, in the form of bulk cement, will be imported at a later date, according to the Information Minister.
