Jamaican businesses supplying stones to Guyana but demand remains high

Companies in Jamaica have responded to the Guyana government’s call for foreign suppliers of stone but the demand for the material remains greater than is available, Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill disclosed on Monday.

The booming construction sector has resulted in stone and sand suppliers significantly increasing their prices. Minister Edghill, during an interview with the News Room, noted that the government remains committed to engaging suppliers to resolve the issue.

“They have started to receive supply…so far I know the supplies that came is from Jamaica.

“We have contracts and we have engaged people. We have thousands of tonnes that have come in. I don’t think what is here is anywhere near to satisfy the demand but we received supplies,” Minister Edghill said.

Since last year, there have been shortages in cement and stone largely due to external supply chain challenges. Those challenges worsened this year with the Ukraine/ Russia crisis further constraining global supply chain efforts. With this, imported materials are both more expensive and less accessible.

Edghill said that suppliers from Canada and other countries were expected to help meet the demand of the government’s construction needs, reducing the pressure placed on the local suppliers and importers.

Acknowledging that stones are being sold at an increased price than the actual value, Edghill had warned that businesses owners who exploit customers may lose business due to their unfair prices.

He had noted however that sand supply is ample.

“Right now. through the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission. permission has been given for people to operate both sand and laterite. That engagement continues and there is no known shortage of sand or laterite, or loam at this time,” he said.