Venezuela Running Cement
Industry
CARACAS - The government
of Venezuela seized
control of the national
cement industry amid joy
in the population, and
hopes to overcome the
housing deficit.
At a rally in
Pertigalete Plant, in
Anzoategui, Oil and
Energy Minister Rafael
Ramirez said the private
sector has a chance but
will never be above the
people's interests.
Ramirez announced
settlements with the two
cement plants Holcim
(Switzerland) for $257
million and Lafarge
(France) for $572
million, and said cement
and concrete productions
were strategic.
However, Ramirez, along
Government Vice
President Ramon
Carrizales, announced
the end of the
association with
Cementos Mexicanos and
nationalization of
CEMEX, in Guanta,
Anzoategui.
They said CEMEX had
failed to meet the
60-day deadline ruled by
the Law on Cement
Companies Realignment,
but the staff here and
at the other plants will
be given labor
stability.
They added that CEMEX
had environmental and
technological problems
and its management
overpriced it at the
negotiations, urging for
$1.2 billion.
The measure will boost
national housing and
meet a deficit of 1.5 to
2 million houses, which
explains the peoples'
happiness with the news.
Unions and the United
Socialist Party of
Venezuela (PSUV) voiced
support of the
nationalization, which
President Hugo Chavez
announced Sunday at a
vigil outside CEMEX's
doors.
Nationalization of key
national industries has
been an integral part of
President Chavez'
political agenda and his
program of 21st Century
Socialism, to favor
well-being of the people
over the accumulation of
global capital.
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