CARIBBEAN CEMENT Company Limited has instructed its lawyers to take legal action in response to what it has described 'as inaccurate, mischievous and defamatory statements' made in the media by rival cement importers.
In a release issued Wednesday, Carib Cement observed that on Tuesday's edition of Nationwide, Paul Burke of Jamaica Cement Consortium Limited, and Senator Norman Horne of ARC Systems Limited, made serious allegations that Carib Cement had indulged in unethical business practices and misled Government agencies as well as the Jamaican people.
Describing the allegations as unfounded, the Cement Company reiterated its position that it has imported neither cement nor clinker into Jamaica this year.
Reacting to the threat of legal action, ARC Systems said Wednesday that they would not back down from their statement.
"I believe that this move by Carib Cement is really just another smokescreen, another part of their PR campaign, and I don't think they have a leg to stand on," said Senator Norman Horne, ARC chairman. "We can stand by what we have said, and we intend to."
A release from the Jamaica Cement Consortium Limited issued last week claimed that 'pictures of the Trinidad Cement Limited product were sent to Minister Paulwell on Friday of last week along with a formal request for an investigation.'
A similar letter has been sent to Finance Minister Dr. Omar Davies to express their concerns.
A letter sent to the Ministry of Commerce, Science and Technology asked for an investigation into "the circumstances under which tonnes of cement packaged and labelled by Trinidad Cement Limited has been imported into Jamaica or manufactured in Jamaica and labelled Trinidad Cement Limited at a time when the TCL-owned Carib Cement is advocating against all imported supplies of cement," wrote the consortium.
Paul Burke did not return calls for comment.
