A shortage of cement in Jamaica is affecting various government projects including the much-touted “Highway 2000” initiative. The Incorporated Master Builders Association (IMBA) said that activities at a number of construction sites have been scaled down due to the shortage. IMBA President Don Mullings said despite the assurances from the country’s sole cement manufacturer, Caribbean Cement Company (CCC), that supplies would be imported in the coming weeks, the shortage is not expected to end anytime soon. He said based on the current level of demand for cement, the situation is not expected to return to normal until early next year, since nearly 300,000 bags of cement are needed to ease the shortage. Last week, CCC announced plans to import cement from Barbados over the next three months to supplement the shortage of the commodity.