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Senate to probe cement producers over price hike

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By Chukwuka Kanu

The Senate has resolved to investigate the sudden hike in the price of cement by its producers in Nigeria.

This followed the adoption of a point of order by the Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Lola Ashiru on the “Need to Urgently Address the Increase in Cement Price and other Building Materials in Nigeria” at plenary in Abuja on Wednesday, February 21, 2024.

Presenting the order, Ashiru urged the Senate to mandate its Committee on Industries to investigate the activities of cement manufacturing industries operating in Nigeria.

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This, he said, was to ascertain the reasons behind the price hike.

The lawmaker also urged the Senate to mandate the Committee on Industries to ensure that cement producers adhered strictly to fair market practice and desist from anti-competitive practice.

Ashiru said the construction industry is vital to infrastructure development, adding that the building industry heavily depends on cement and other building materials for its sustenance.

He said the trend of a daily increase in the price of the product has hampered progress in various developmental endeavours across the country.

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“This is because key building materials particularly cement and iron rod prices are now sold at prohibitive rates with cement and iron rod recently rising from N5,500 per bag in January 2024 to about N14,000 and N8,500 to N17,000, respectively,” Ashiru said.

The lawmaker noted that the sudden price increase has had a detrimental impact on critical infrastructure and housing in the country, saying the raw materials for cement were being sourced 100 per cent locally and not imported making the sudden surge in price suspicious and perplexing.

He said: “Cognisant that affordable cement and other building materials are indispensable to national development, addressing the issue in time will be advantageous to the construction industry.

“This is because it will ensure the progress of constituency projects and strengthen national security by providing jobs and stability and improve the livelihood of Nigerians generally.”

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I commend our security forces for the successful rescue of Oyo school children – Hon TeeJay Yusuf

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Former member of the House of Representatives and a top notch of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Hon TeeJay Yusuf has commended gallant security operatives for the successful rescue of Oyo school children after 56 days in captivity.

This was contained in a commendation letter personally signed by the three-term former lawmaker(2011-2023) on Saturday.

In the commentation letter, Yusuf said: “I warmly commend our gallant security forces for the successful rescue of the Oyo schoolchildren and their teachers after more than 50 days in the captivity of their abductors.

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“Their safe return is a profound relief to their families and to all Nigerians who have kept them in their thoughts and prayers throughout this difficult period.

” This successful operation reflects the courage, professionalism, resilience, and unwavering commitment of our security personnel in the service of our nation.

“While we celebrate this outcome, we must remain steadfast in strengthening our collective resolve to end kidnapping and all forms of criminality across the country. Every Nigerian deserves to live, learn, and work in safety.

“I congratulate all those who played a role in securing their freedom and pray that God will continue to protect, strengthen, and guide our security forces as they carry out their vital responsibility.

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Fine: Presidency throws weight behind Aviation minister, Keyamo’s ultimatum to Peter Obi

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The Presidency has thrown its heavy weight behind the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, over the recent controversy involving Peter Obi at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, insisting that the former Anambra State governor breached established parking regulations.

Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the facts presented by the aviation minister contradicted Obi’s claim that his vehicle was deliberately targeted by authorities.

The dispute stems from an incident on July 4, 2026, when Obi alleged that officials clamped the tyres of his vehicle at the Abuja airport as part of what he described as continued persecution by the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu.

Following the allegation, Keyamo said he ordered an investigation into the matter. According to the minister, the findings showed that Obi’s vehicle was parked in violation of airport regulations and was clamped only after officials allowed sufficient time for it to be moved.

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Keyamo maintained that Obi had already exited the vehicle before enforcement officers carried out the action, making it impossible for airport personnel to have identified the car as belonging to the opposition figure or singled him out for special treatment.

The minister further stated that after the police officer attached to Obi informed him that the vehicle had been clamped, the former presidential candidate secured its release without paying the prescribed penalty, despite what he described as a clear breach of airport security rules.

Reacting on his verified X account, Onanuga said the minister’s explanation had laid to rest claims that Obi was unfairly targeted.

He said, “Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo explains how Peter Obi’s car violated parking rules at the Airport, how it was clamped and how Peter Obi peddled his influence to get the car released without paying the mandatory fine. Keyamo has now decided that Peter Obi must pay the N25,000 fine for wrongful, illegal and dangerous parking.

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“The Minister’s account of what happened on July 4 at Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja, completely debunked Obi’s falsehood that he was unduly targeted and persecuted. The truth is that he and his police driver broke a simple parking rule at the Airport.”

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Oyo school children freedom: Peter Obi reacts says “it’s worthy of thanksgiving ‘

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Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi, says the rescue of the Oyo schoolchildren and teachers is worthy of thanksgiving.

Obi said this in a post on his verified X handle on Saturday.

He said he is greatly relieved and delighted to learn of the safe rescue of the schoolchildren who were kidnapped.

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“This is worthy of thanksgiving. I sincerely thank all those whose tireless efforts made their freedom possible, especially the security personnel and everyone who worked behind the scenes.

“While we celebrate this happy outcome, we must remember that no child should ever have to endure such trauma.

“The recurring incidents of kidnapping, particularly of schoolchildren, underscore the urgent need to strengthen our security architecture and make the protection of lives and property the foremost responsibility of government.

“Our children deserve to learn in an atmosphere of safety, not fear. We must continue to work towards building a Nigeria where every child can pursue education without the threat of violence or abduction.

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“I rejoice with the children, their families, their schools, and all Nigerians on this heartening development,” he wrote.

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