Opposition wants parliamentary oversight of measures to address cement shortage

Amid growing concerns over a shortage of cement, Opposition Spokesman on Investment, Trade and Global Logistics Anthony Hylton is calling for urgent parliamentary attention be given to the the situation, warning that the ongoing supply constraints could undermine Jamaica’s recovery from Hurricane Melissa and its broader economic growth.

In a statement today, Hylton lobbied for the matter to be brought before the Economy and Production Committee of Parliament immediately to facilitate full scrutiny of the causes of the shortage, assess the adequacy of the Government’s response, and determine the measures required to secure Jamaica’s medium- to long-term cement supply.

He said he has been engaging key industry stakeholders, including contractors, manufacturers, hardware operators and investors, many of whom have raised concerns that the shortage is already disrupting construction timelines, undermining investor confidence, threatening jobs, and driving up costs across the sector.

In a statement last week, Caribbean Cement Company Limited, said ongoing rainfall has disrupted production due to challenges with raw material and equipment.

However, The Incorporated Masterbuilders Association of Jamaica in a later statement noted that following a meeting with Carib Cement executives, it was assured that the current cement shortage should ease by next month as the company moves to address supply constraints and restore normal production levels.

The Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, in the meantime, has also announced several interim measures that have been implemented to address the shortage of cement locally which included the cement company diverting a vessel, previously en route to the Bahamas to Jamaica and making arrangements for an additional 28,400 tonnes to be delivered in early May.

In addition, the ministry stated that it had approved an additional quota that allows for importation of supplementary cement by Buying House Company Limited to assist in meeting immediate demands market wide, but primarily in Western Jamaica.

However, Hylton said these measures from the Ministry have not provided the level of assurance needed by the Opposition or the industry. According to him, the Government’s response, largely centred on a short-term increase in imports, has been described as “too limited, too shallow, and too short-sighted.”

He contends that Jamaica urgently requires a comprehensive strategy to guarantee a stable and reliable cement supply, to facilitate post–Hurricane Melissa reconstruction needs, the national commitment to build back stronger and more resiliently, and the rising demand from major infrastructure, housing, tourism, manufacturing and climate resilience projects

“We cannot build back better if we cannot build at all,” Hylton stated. “Cement is a critical input for reconstruction, resilience and growth. A stop-gap reliance on imports is not a strategy; it is a temporary fix that does nothing to secure supply or protect Jamaican jobs over the long term,” Hylton said.

- Sashana Small

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