There is currently a countrywide cement and stone shortage which government attributes to an infrastructural and construction boom that has seen high demand for the items since it took office last year, coupled the gradual reopening of the economy which saw a slowdown due to COVID-19.
“What is causing the shortage is the aggressive construction drive that is being pushed not only by the Ministry of Housing but in the national infrastructural development that is going on in the country. The suppliers will have to up their game and fill these orders,” Minister of Housing Susan Rodrigues told the Stabroek News.
“Things did slow down last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic but also now we have seen a return of the housing boom. Construction in the housing sector was on the decline in the last five years and I think a lot of the suppliers were caught by surprise; not only by the plans our government have, but how quickly we have been introducing the programmes since taking office last year,” Rodrigues said.
