House of Representatives Committee on Solid Minerals has summoned the Minister of Solid Minerals and other cement manufacturers to appear before it on the 20th and 21st for proper explanation on the arbitrary increase in the price of cement in Nigeria.
Chairman of the committee Mr Jonathan Gaza Gbefwi, issued the summon at a public hearing organized by the house joint committees on Commerce, Industry, Special Duties and Solid Minerals in Abuja.
The committee was constituted following the adoption of a motion by the house on the arbitrary increase in the price of cement by cement manufacturers in Nigeria to investigate the matter for further legislative consideration.
The investigative hearing, targeted five cement manufacturers including Dangote Cement, BUA Cement, Lafarge Cement, Ashaka Cement and Eagle Cement but failed to appear and did not send any representative to brief the lawmakers.
Ruling on the matter the committee Chairman Mr Jonathan Gaza, warned that those summoned must appear before the committee since National Assembly did not receive any court order restraining it from inviting the parties involved.
“We will not sit back while some companies everyday declare billions in naira and dollars and our people can barely afford to get a decent roof over their heads. We saw in Lagos where you have Nigerians under the bridge and paying rent. Why? If this products were available, I do not believe we will have to go to those lengths. Moreover, that God has blessed us with these resources in abundance”
Declaring the investigative hearing open, the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, said the persistent increase in cement prices has had a detrimental effect on the ‘built environment’ and Nigeria at large, evident in the present huge housing deficit in the nation.
He said the house was committed to collaborating with cement manufacturers and end-users to develop effective ways to improve the quality of life and standard of living for citizens, enacting laws to prevent a recurrence of the factors that led to the current situation.
“Our goal is to inform Nigerians about the industry’s current state and collaboratively find solutions to navigate the challenges”
The Deputy who described cement as a fundamental component used in constructing bridges, dams, houses, waterworks and road infrastructure said the persistent rise in the prices would continue to impact not only on the built environment but the entire economy.
COV TSIBIRI
