Concrete blocks, balusters, concrete poles and landscapings are
some of the goods and services expected to increase by about 30
per cent, according to a construction site manager, speaking on
condition of anonymity.
The cost of transporting material has already begun to climb, as
drivers have to wait much longer to get their loads due to the shortage
of aggregate.
The construction boom would be severely affected by the increase
in the cost of aggregate, which would result in a negative impact
on the industry as contractors are now forced to renegotiate higher
prices with their clients.
The road construction projects are already suffering because most
of the fill used was purchased from the illegal mining operators.
Some quarry operators are laying the blame squarely on the shoulders
of the government for the unhealthy situation in the industry that
could trigger an economic nightmare
They claim that an ill-conceived attempt to destroy the credibility
of the Jamaat al Muslimeen which has been accused of illegal mining
to fund criminal activities, has backfired, but it has left many
quarries now on the verge of closing down.
The operators are now wondering if the government’s decision
to shut down the miners was part of a conspiracy with National Quarries
Limited to create a monopoly in the industry and then privatise
the company.
“Imagine for the past five years the government has not given
any quarry operators mining rights except Coosal and National Quarries,
and I can tell you there are several applications that meet all
the statutory requirements for the grant of a license, but the government
is just playing the arse,” an angry industry source said.
Some of the operators are speculating that even National Quarries
is operating illegally.
They said Energy Minister Eric Williams indicated that those who
were on lands legally, paying royalties and taxes, and through no
fault of theirs did not have their licenses properly extended, would
be given priority when new licenses are being issued.
But this has not been done.
As early as next month, if the quarry operators mining issues are
not settled thousand of workers in the industry will face the breadline
and billions of dollars in trucks and heavy equipments would be
at a standstill, TnT Mirror was told.
Eventually, the entire construction industry would crash and government’s
boast of foreign investors and their construction projects would
suffer from inflated prices because of the shortage of aggregate.
Even if the operators decide to import materials from South America,
Santo Domingo or British Columbia the prices would be ridiculously
high due to the high cost of shipping.
On the other hand, at present, only National Quarries can import
aggregate into the country.
All other importers have to get a special permit from the Ministry
of Energy.
It was explained that the government’s road-paving frenzy
that normally accompanies election campaigns requires three-eights
stones. This material is mixed with bitumen to make strong asphalt.
The stone is already in great demand and no quarry operators are
able to provide adequate supply to satisfy the road paving industry.
Mirror was also told that members of the Quarry Association were
paying close attention to a big conglomerate they claimed is making
a bid to acquire Studley Park limestone quarry in Tobago.
The conglomerate is also said to be attempting to acquire a State-owned
quarry in Guyana, described as the largest mining circuit in the
region.
Experts in the business are predicting that the conglomerate would
bounce its head because it would be faced with real difficulties
to remove the material through the Orinoco River.
It was also bandied that such an operation must be closely examined
because it could be used as a fresh means of bringing in cocaine
from South America.
Barges normally experience real difficulties with the water current
and the large rocks are a serious hindrance for inexperienced barge
operators.
A person who has experience navigating the river explained that
only 5,000 metric tonne barges could transport the mined material
from Guyana.
Talk is spreading like wildfire and the worried, affected quarry
operators are wondering if the entire episode is a set up to make
way for the friends, financers and the big conglomerates associated
with the ruling People’s National Movement (PNM). The next
move they claimed that would eventually let the cat out of the bag
is if the government attempts to divest National Quarries.
“This certainly will be the final nail in the coffin for the
dying local quarry industry,” an insider said.
“What, then would experienced small operators, who have mortgages
to pay and whose livelihood depends on this activity, be left to
do?
“Certainly, committing crime is not an option, although this
seems to be encouraged at certain high levels
“We understand that the industry needs to be properly regulated
and I am sure all operators will readily comply when this is done.
“But regulating it to facilitate a few big boys or creating
a monopoly is not the way to go.
“The government will end up bouncing its head if this is what
is being plotted.”
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