CEMENT SHORTAGE EFFECTS CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

“Shortage of cement Island wide”

Owing to a severe shortage of cement throughout the country, it is reported that clients who go to hardware shops to purchase cement have to return empty handed owing to the scarcity of cement. Hence construction activities have more or less come to a standstill.
It is also reported that certain hardware shops have hidden stocks to sell at ‘black market’ prices. It is also learnt that those regular customers who purchase cement for the cement blocks industry are issued cement.
Minister of Consumer Affairs Jonston Fernando has given the reason for this shortage as a cement factory in Pakistan who supplies cement has closed down. He says that orders have been placed already and the situation would come back to normal. Another reason for this shortage is due to the fact that cement had been exported to London in preparation for the 2012 Olympics to be held there.