Holness expects construction boom

Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness has indicated that Jamaica’s construction sector is poised for significant growth as reconstruction efforts following Hurricane Melissa gather momentum.

He further called on Caribbean Cement Company Limited to expand its supply capacity, invest in modern technologies, and reduce prices to support long-term national development.

“In short order, you will be seeing a rapid expansion in construction in Jamaica between hospitals that have to be rebuilt, new schools that have to be built, new roadways that have to be built, in addition to private-sector projects,” Holness stated, noting that streamlined approvals under the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority will further accelerate demand for cement.

He was speaking during the handover ceremony for the Concrete Pavement and Infrastructure Improvement Project in the Bell Rock community of Olympic Way, St Andrew. The $8-million Bell Rock infrastructure project was financed through the corporate social responsibility programme of CEMEX, parent company of Carib Cement, in collaboration with its local subsidiary. Holness commended the initiative while emphasising that Carib Cement has an important role to play in advancing the public good.

While acknowledging the company’s long-standing contribution to Jamaica’s development and its role in nurturing engineering and technical expertise, Holness emphasised the importance of ensuring that cement supply and pricing remain supportive of the country’s economic growth and development objectives. To help stabilise prices and safeguard supply, he noted that the Government has increased quotas for cement imports while ensuring that local manufacturing investment and capacity development remain protected.

Holness further encouraged Carib Cement to pursue greater efficiency through investment in modern manufacturing technologies, with a view to lowering production costs.