Some 22,500t of cement are expected to hit the local market this week - thanks to imports and increased output from Jamaica’s sole cement manufacturer, Carib Cement Ltd.

The cement is expected to ease the shortage on the market since February when it was revealed that several tonnes of the product sold to the market by Carib Cement was defective.

According to the government, some 3500t of cement were imported into the island by ARC Systems last week, and Carib Cement produced 19,000t. This cement should hit the market this week.

Details of the cement availability were discussed on Monday by the Ministry of Industry, Technology, Energy and Commerce, the Incorporated Master Builders Association, the Hardware Merchants Association, and the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce.