Hylton presses Parliament to probe Jamaica's cement shortage amid Melissa rebuild

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Opposition Spokesman on Investment, Trade and Global Logistics Anthony Hylton is pressing for immediate parliamentary scrutiny of the country's cement supply crunch, cautioning that the squeeze could undermine Jamaica's recovery from Hurricane Melissa and stall broader economic momentum.

In a press statement issued on Tuesday, Hylton urged that the issue be referred without delay to the Economy and Production Committee, where lawmakers could examine what triggered the shortage, weigh how effectively the Government has responded, and identify the steps needed to lock in medium- to long-term supply.

Hylton said he has been in dialogue with players across the industry — contractors, manufacturers, hardware operators and investors — who report that the shortfall is already pushing back construction schedules, eroding investor confidence, putting jobs at risk and lifting costs throughout the sector.

"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."

He argued that the country must draw the right lessons from Melissa and plan ahead rather than scramble after the fact. "Hurricane Melissa has reminded us that Jamaica must be ready to rebuild quickly and effectively. That level of readiness requires planning now, not reactive measures later. Parliament has a responsibility to ensure that the necessary systems and supplies are in place to support national recovery and long-term development," he said.

The opposition spokesman insisted that a comprehensive plan is needed to guarantee a steady, dependable flow of cement, pointing to post-Melissa rebuilding obligations, the national pledge to construct stronger and more climate-resilient structures, and mounting demand tied to major infrastructure, housing, tourism, manufacturing and climate-resilience projects.

Carib Cement, Jamaica's principal cement producer, signalled last week that sustained heavy rainfall had taken a toll on its plant, complicating raw material handling and prompting some equipment and process hiccups that temporarily reduced output. The manufacturer noted that elevated demand and the wet weather were still causing delays, but said work was in progress to bring production back to optimal levels.