Dear Editor,
We must never forget that it was under the A Partnership For National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government that over 30,000 people lost their jobs. So, this new “US$100 million cement factory to be constructed on Essequibo Coast” is yet another way to create job opportunities for Guyanese, even as their confidence is being restored.
During the 2020 APNU/AFC rigging attempt and even before, many Guyanese suffered in a state of hopelessness because of the economic state of the country, coupled with the lack of job opportunities available. This was the catalyst for the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), who at the time made a strong commitment “… to restore, enhance and create new jobs for all categories of workers.” Currently, the sugar industry is up and running and many are back at work. With this cement factory in the near offing, more hope is descending on the country overall, as apart from some 200 job openings, local cement will be available on the Guyana market.
The word is already buzzing that “A new variety of cement will soon be added … following the construction and commissioning of a proposed cement plant on the Essequibo Coast, set to manufacture the “Hydraulic Cement.”
This plant will be under the aegis of the Georgetown Cement Company, of which Mr Vijay Sukhdeo is the Chief Executive Officer. This CEO is a seasoned campaigner, originally from Wakenaam, who migrated to the United States at the age of 17 and now has some 30 years of experience in this kind of business.
This project is expected to get going later in the year, with the hope of completing it in a one-year time frame. Sukhdeo detailed that “Once completed, the plant will utilise both French and German technology, producing grey and white cement (as) our aim is to complete (it) within 12 to 13 months, so we can start grinding cement right after.” If all goes well, the factory will churn out both white and grey cement, in an unprecedented quality at 50,000 metric tons per month.
Outside of employment to build and run the factory, there will be huge economic advantages, as it means “more affordability,” simply because the cement will be locally made, and therefore residents will benefit from the cheaper price. This is not difficult to grasp, as the CEO explained that “We decided to step in because of the cement demand and price for the product presently.” So, “Instead of importing the finished product, we will be importing the ingredients like iron ore and line stone gypsum.”
There is a big plus too in that this “Hydraulic Cement is great for sea defence and stands up longer to salt air… It’s drying time is 30 minutes longer than that of all-purpose cement, but it allows for the cement to have a better bonding.”
Many Guyanese are now living closer to the Atlantic Ocean, and many of them have suffered from the salty sea breeze, so this will add impetus for local purchase, but with the high rate of production, the Hydraulic Cement will also be supplying other Caribbean countries, including Suriname. This means “earned foreign exchange.”
Yours truly,
Attiya Baksh
