Make Cement in Mauritius

Mauritius Times – 70 Years

By Peter Ibbotson

The reconstruction and repair of destroyed and damaged buildings and houses present a herculean task for the Government and the building industry. Just as there has been strict price control over foodstuffs, there must be strict price control over building to ensure unscrupulous persons do not profit from the misfortunes of others. There must also be strict controls over repair work to ensure correct priorities are observed.

In short, for quite some time to come, the building industry must prepare for the maintenance of building controls. These controls are necessary to avoid wasted effort and ensure proper priorities. It is always unfortunate when a government must institute controls over private enterprise, but this is done only when it is in everyone’s interest. The right wing of Mauritian politicians may protest at what they will call “undue government interference”; the lunatic fringe of the Bloc will likely explode at the thought of government action to ensure efficiency (the Bloc prefers inefficiency so it can hold it up to ridicule). But controls are necessary, and it is good the building industry has recognized this.

The destruction of so many houses and huts provides an opportunity to do two things. First — over the past 15 years, many new huts have been randomly erected across the island. Little effort has been made to plan the siting of new huts or to ensure that good land is not used for huts when less suitable land would suffice. This haphazard use of land for building has lost many arpents of productive agricultural land. Now, however, there is an opportunity to replan the siting of the new houses to replace those destroyed by the two cyclones. Instead of allowing huts to be placed randomly, the Government must ensure that construction is planned, villages and towns are properly rebuilt, and the best use is made of Mauritius’s available land. A rapid land utilization survey is needed. Villages must be planned so that huts are not scattered wastefully, especially as far as the provision of essential services is concerned.

The second opportunity the cyclones present is developing an indigenous cement industry. In 1956, Dr Williams reported on a Mauritius cement project. He concluded that cement could be manufactured in Mauritius from coral sand, Laselle clay, and bagasse ash. It could be produced at competitive prices if a stable market was assured. Reserves of coral sand and clay could sustain the industry for at least 30 years.

Dr Williams based his conclusions on potential annual production of 25,000 to 30,000 tons of cement. In 1953, 27,500 tons were imported at an average c.i.f. price of Rs 144, with wholesale prices at Rs 171 and retail at Rs 180. He provided detailed costs for setting up a cement industry using a dry-process shaft kiln plant producing 30,000 tons annually. His figures showed profitability after accounting for interest, taxation, amortization, insurance, and research.

Would Mauritius need 30,000 tons of cement annually? In 1958, 51½ million kilos of cement were imported, mainly from the U.K., South Africa, Belgium, Denmark, France, and Japan, costing Rs 6¾ million. In 1957, 43 million kilos were imported for Rs 6.3 million. Demand in both years exceeded Dr Williams’ assumptions. With a local plant, increased demand could be met by increased production, boosting the profit forecast by Dr Williams.

The cement industry could thrive independently and would do so even better with government support. Ideally, the government could operate it as a state enterprise. However, objections persist that higher annual production is required for profitability and that there isn’t enough market demand for this. I suggest the cyclone’s aftermath will stimulate demand for building materials, including cement. The 51,000 tons imported in 1958 will likely be surpassed in 1961, if not in 1960. Demand will remain high and steady for some time.

The time is ripe for establishing a cement factory as a priority project after the cyclone (Carol). It will supply much of the cement needed for Mauritius’s immediate reconstruction. Funds will be invested locally, and home-produced cement will save foreign currency for other imports. Employment will also be created, both in constructing the plant and operating the industry. This will provide a triple benefit:

1. Annual profits from the industry.
2. Additional employment (it is better to pay men to work than to pay unemployment benefits, assuming Professor Titmuss’ recommendations are along these lines).
3. Savings in foreign currency and shipping space.

The urgency of establishing a cement industry must be impressed upon the Secretary of State. Mauritian Ministers are already aware of its necessity.

Mauritius Times ePaper Friday 10 January 2025