The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has called for an urgent meeting with prominent cement manufacturers to discuss the escalating cost of cement.
The minister expressed concern over the significant rise in the cost of cement, despite substantial patronage by road and housing contractors.
The meeting is scheduled to take place on Monday, February 19, 2024, at the Ministry’s Conference Hall in Mabushi, Abuja. The invited cement manufacturers include Dangote Plc, BUA Plc, Lafarge, and others.
In a statement signed by the Minister’s Special Adviser (Media), Orji Uchenna Orji, Umahi emphasized the need to address the widening disparity between the ex-factory price and the market price of cement.
While acknowledging the challenges faced by manufacturers, the minister aims to explore the issues and find common ground during the meeting.
Part of the statement read: “The Honourable Minister of Works, His Excellency, David Umahi CON, has summoned an urgent meeting of all cement manufacturers in Nigeria.
“Those invited are Dangote Plc, BUA Plc, Larfarge, and others.”
“It is common knowledge that the manufacturers have their challenges, which we shall look into, but from our findings, the disparity between ex-factory price and the market price is wide.
“We therefore need to look into the situation and other issues with a view to finding a common front.”
The move comes as the government seeks to understand the factors contributing to the surge in cement prices and work collaboratively with industry stakeholders to mitigate the impact on construction and infrastructure development projects.
The removal of fuel subsidy is the best choice and decision this government made for the interest, good and future of the country. The price of every commodity is going down every day. But I wonder, why the invitation for this meeting?