The Sabah construction industry faces significant challenges due to a cement shortage that has persisted since mid-October. This shortage has particularly affected East Coast towns like Sandakan, Lahad Datu, and Tawau.
With construction activities grinding to a halt, the Sabah Builders Association (SBA) president, Henry Tsen, voiced deep concerns about the repercussions on the local construction players, reports the Borneo Post.
The construction sector in Sabah has been grappling with various challenges, including the enduring impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, lockdowns, rising building material and labour costs, worker shortages, and disruptions in the supply chain over the past three years.
Cement is pivotal in infrastructure and building construction, making the shortage a severe impediment to construction projects. Tsen highlighted the financial strain on construction players gradually recovering from the pandemic-induced difficulties. The sudden disruption in work progress due to the cement shortage adds an unexpected financial burden.
Expressing the association’s stance on the matter, Tsen emphasised the need for additional regional cement manufacturers or suppliers to ensure a more reliable and consistent cement supply for the construction industry.
Despite promises from the Federal Government to allocate more construction projects to Sabah, particularly the remaining packages of the Pan Borneo Highway, the implementation has been sluggish. SBA hopes to take swift action to implement these projects to enhance the cash flow of Sabah’s construction players.
A diversified and robust supply chain for essential construction materials, such as cement, is crucial for maintaining the resilience of the construction sector and ensuring the timely completion of projects in the region.
