Dar es Salaam, Aug. 15 -- THE government yesterday explained the causes of cement shortages in the market, attributing the situation to temporary supply disruptions.

The disruptions resulted from reduced production at major plants, increased demand driven by construction and infrastructure projects and higher costs across the production and distribution chain, contributing to sharp price increases in some parts of the country.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Ambassador Wazir Salum, revealed this yesterday following an inquiry from the ‘Daily News. Amb Saluma said some major cement plants had undertaken machinery maintenance, temporarily reducing the production of cement and clinker, the main raw material...