Doha - Construction activity in the country is being held up due to a shortage of plaster sand, a crucial element in the business.
Al Sharq reported yesterday that the construction sector is in the throes of a crisis as there is no substitute for plaster sand, used in plastering activities. Meawhile, rumours abound that sand will soon be brought in from nearby Mesaieed.
According to Abdul Rahman Al Ansari, board member of the Qatar Sand Factory: "We are ready to confront the problem and have received approvals to set up a sand unit in Mesaieed."
Ahmed Al Sheeb of the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI) and head of its contracting committee, said: "The concerned authorities are not explaining the reasons behind the shortage. I myself am building a house after demolishing an old one. But work has been held up because of the plaster sand shortage."
He added: "I went and recruited workers but was stunned to find that no sand is available in the market. Truckers have told me there is a ban on bringing sand from Mesaieed and no reasons are being given. Many people are facing the same problem and we do not know when this crisis will be over."
An engineer, Taha Musani, told Al Sharq there is no sand shortage. "Sand is available but if there is a problem, it is because of soaring demand." Musani said the so-called shortage was only temporary and should be over in a matter of a "few days".
© The Peninsula 2007
