Saturday, September 20 2008

THE CURRENT economic fallout in the United States and Europe could provide a surprising benefit to the local construction industry, Joint Consultative Council (JCC) President Winston Riley said yesterday.

He also called on the Government to address the infrastructure needs of the country in the upcoming Budget.

“To some extent the local construction industry is not affected by that as yet,”Riley said. “The industry tends to be affected by international issues based on how that affect prices. If demand is reduced then the prices may drop. That could be a benefit.”

The local construction industry has been in the throes of an international price hike which has seen local prices for steel and cement rise. Riley warns, though, that the threat of natural disasters in the region could erase any potential drop in prices of materials by increasing demand. Going to next Monday’s Budget, Riley says there are several clear areas that he would like to see the Budget address.

“The JCC will be concerned about the government addressing the major infrastructure problems in the country which has to do with what is happening on the roads and with drainage.”

“With respect to healthcare there is the question of having the health sector maintained and to ensure that things are maintained properly from local government up, from garbage disposal to mosquito prevention.”

Riley also called for safety issues in the capital city to also be addressed given the current building boom.

“With all these new buildings that have gone up what is happening to the fire services in the case of equipment and the training of manpower and accident prevention. Those are our major queries,” Riley said.

The JCC President called on the Government to ensure that it focuses on building the construction sector.

“What is the government doing with respect to capacity building? With respect to the construction sector; to maintain the capacity for us to do routine things in Trinidad and Tobago?”