Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

PNG’s capital goes through a cement shortage

Posted at 23:00 on 18 November, 2008 UTC

Papua New Guinea’s capital, Port Moresby, is experiencing a shortage of cement, with demand out-pacing the supply due to an increase in construction activities in the city and elsewhere in the country.

The newspaper, the National reports, the Lae-based Taiyeho Cement, the nation’s only producer and supplier of cement, was unable to meet a tripling of demand amid an economic boom partly brought on by increased activity in the mining and resource industry.

This is fuelling growth in other sectors, particularly in building and construction.

Wholesalers Monier Ltd reported being out of stock for at least one day this week while PNG Ready Mix Port Moresby office also confirmed the shortage.

The suppliers attributed the increase mainly to an increasing demand for cement and cement products for road and bridge building, real estate development and housing construction, among others.