Construction material price soars

This is the day when the suppliers are the KINGs.

Since last month, the construction works amongst the implementing agencies was on fire. Every one in Aceh reconstruction is like a participant in the race track. All of us are working hard, to complete the work on time. All agencies who work in the reconstruction are craving for construction materials. Timbers, cements, steel rebar, zinc roofing and bricks go through the economic law. The construction material production is not fast enough as the speed of construction. Scarcity of bricks, cements and other material is start to happen. The price goes up with no one can prevent it.

One brick before tsunami was Rp. 300 but nowadays is Rp. 700 each. Even though, it was easily sold out. Payment should be in hard cash. Just like in the stock market, every hour and even every minute, the price can be change by the supplier. The supplier will give to the best bidder who comes to them with highest price and with enough money in their pocket.

The nightmare is not over yet. The quality of the brick is poor. Generally the brick burned within 3 days, to reach its strength. But because the buyer is already in front of their gate, they just burn it in 2 days.

This is too much and has to be stopped. There are 3 things we have to do to end this madness.

First, just stop the work. Stop and watch. We are not allow someone make a fool upon us by playing the price. If we follow their game, the price will continue to skyrocketing. If other agencies are still willing to dance with their rhythm, let them, it won’t be long; they will short of cash soon.

Second, we have to buy materials outside Aceh region. Even we have to pay the transportation cost; the price is still lower compare to the local supplier. And still we will get better quality bricks.

Third, we make by our self. We just need to find enough space to build our factory and the quarry for material. We can enhance the life quality of the local people to work with us.

The first idea maybe the easiest and the last suggestion is to idealistic. But if we just do one of them, the kings will woke up and smelt the coffee.

Arwin Soelaksono - Disaster Response & reConstruction