Cabinet ministers outline cement import relief and US third-country national transit deal

KINGSTON — Senior ministers used a post-Cabinet media briefing on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, to address Jamaica's recent cement shortage and to clarify a new arrangement with the United States to receive a limited number of third-country nationals.

Industry Minister Senator Aubyn Hill said overlapping pressures had strained domestic cement supply after Hurricane Melissa in October. Reconstruction demand surged from late November into early 2026, while the island's main producer faced equipment problems with a new kiln and conveyor system installed around February and March, and wet weather affected clinker extraction at Rockfort. Storm damage also destroyed warehouse roofing in Montego Bay, adding to losses.

After market checks with at least 16 distributors, Cabinet approved expanded import quotas for six months. Beyond the established buying house allocation of up to 150,000 tons, new permits were issued to Jamaica Logistics International Limited and Rock Hard Cement Jamaica (100,000 tons each), Tankweld Metals (60,000 tons), Island Concrete Company Limited (60,000 metric tons), and Gore Development (20,000 tons). Hill said companies that approached the Government during the shortage were considered against projected compound annual growth in demand. Separate planning will be needed for cement tied to large NAR-related projects. He said supply was returning toward balance and that building a second local plant remained a longer-term policy question.

Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Horace Chang, who also leads the national security portfolio, rejected claims that Jamaica agreed to accept 10,000 deportees or convicts from the United States. He said Jamaica continues to receive only Jamaican deportees, roughly 100 monthly under a structured bilateral process.

Chang confirmed Cabinet approval of a memorandum of understanding signed in the previous week to allow up to 25 third-country nationals to transit through Jamaica. Neither government is bound long term; Jamaica may refuse any individual, and the programme would end if all 25 opted to remain. Operational details, including accommodation through the International Organisation for Migration with US-funded initial costs, are still being finalised. Participants would not be held in detention. Chang said the arrangement was a US-led initiative, similar to deals with Panama, Costa Rica, Belize, Antigua, St. Kitts and Barbados, and that English proficiency was the main screening criterion under discussion. He said the MOU would be made public.

Reporters also pressed ministers on school violence after recent gun deaths involving a Port Antonio High student and an Ascot High teacher. Education officials linked classroom trauma to community crime, while Chang highlighted violence-prevention programmes operating in 39 schools.