As I travel around the country as a land surveyor and actually see the devastating effect that the cement crisis is having on a wide cross-section of our citizens, I am almost moved to tears.

The economic suffering of large construction firms and hardware owners make the headlines. However, the suffering of carpenters, masons, labourers and pick-up owners, and their families are suffering greater hardships. They seem to have been forgotten and no help is being channelled their way.

I am reminded of the Jamaican proverb, 'Donkey say that the world no level' when I see how regardless of this immense suffering that Mr. Phillip Paulwell continues in his ministerial post.

When we remember his past blunders with NetServ and INTEC funds, the $153 million Goodyear IT centre and now this cement crisis, even the most ardent supporter of Mr. Paulwell must realise that he should resign. He was advised against his Carib Cement Company policy more than two years ago by persons in the know, and he ignored their advice. Even at this stage of crisis it's obvious that Mr. Paulwell has no clue on how to get out of the crisis or minimise the economic effect.

- Ainsworth Dick, Commissioned Land Surveyor, 9 Regal Plaza, Kingston 5

Cement is unquestionably the most essential and important ingredient in any concrete structure. The Bureau of Standards is the Government's 'watchdog' to ensure that cement being sold to the public at all times meets local and international standard.

The quality of cement cannot be determined by sight, taste, feel or smell, and very few individual/companies have the proper facilities for testing. The general public must, therefore, rely 100 per cent on the accuracy and timely reporting of the testing of cement by the Bureau of Standards.

As early as October 2005 there were complaints about the quality of cement being distributed to the public. It was not until February 2006 when 500 tons of cement were distributed on the market that 'all hell broke loose'!

Was the Bureau of Standards doing tests on cement during that period? If so, the test should indicate substandard cement! That is the duty of the Bureau of Standards.