Cement shortage paralyzes crushing plant on Brava Island
The company Demol & TEC, responsible for the crushing plant on Brava Island, has had its activities suspended for more than a month due to a cement shortage on the island.
In statements to Inforpress, the company's representative, António de Pina, expressed concern about the shortage of this essential product for the construction sector, stressing that, despite the strong demand for blocks, the company cannot guarantee production, a situation that has led to the paralysis of practically all ongoing construction projects in the municipality.
"Without cement, it's impossible to make blocks. We haven't had cement on our island of Brava for over a month, and there's nothing we can do but suffer in silence," he lamented.
According to the businessman, all sectors linked to construction depend directly on cement, so even if other materials are available, the company cannot sell or produce them, since the scarcity of the product makes the entire production chain unviable.
António de Pina believes the situation could be minimized if there were greater diversification of suppliers on the island.
Currently, Brava relies primarily on the company Cimpor for its cement supply.
“I believe that on my island there are people with financial power who can and should invest in other cement brands, because we are only dependent on Cimpor in this municipality. On the island of Santiago and other islands, the works are functioning normally because they don't depend solely on that brand,” he stated.
The official also stressed that the construction industry is a primary and structuring sector, as it drives several other professions, such as painters, carpenters, electricians, drivers and other workers, who are currently also idle, waiting for the arrival of cement.
Despite the high prices of construction materials, both on Brava Island and in other regions of the country, several construction projects are underway in the municipality.
However, as he pointed out, without cement there is no production of blocks or output of aggregates, which keeps the company completely inactive.
Currently, all Demol & TEC workers are on strike, a situation the owner considers unsustainable if the cement supply is not restored soon.
Inforpress
