News

Reps Issue 14-Day Ultimatum For Dangote, Lafarge, Bua, Eagle, Asaka Cement Companies To Appear

Published

8 months ago

May 7, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

…say no receipt of court order restraining it from inviting organisations, individuals

…as Deputy Speaker assure House is working to establish appropriate legislation for industrialization, SMEs

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has issued a 14-day ultimatum to Dangote Cement, Bua Cement, Lafarge Cement, Asaka Cement and Eagle Cement to appear before its joint committee and make their submissions on the arbitrary increment of Cement prices in Nigeria.

The Chairman House Committee on Solid Minerals, Rep. Gaza Gbefwi, gave the summon at a public hearing to Investigate the Arbitrary Increase in the price of cement in Nigeria by cement manufacturers, organised by House Joint Committees on Commerce, Industry, Special Duties and Solid Minerals on Tuesday in Abuja.

Naijablitznews.com recalled that on March 13, 2024, the House moved a motion on the “arbitrary increase in the price of cement by cement manufacturers in Nigeria”, and constituted the Joint Committee to investigate and report back.

But the five cement manufacturers in Nigeria namely Dangote Cement, Bua Cement, Lafarge Cement, Asaka Cement and Eagle Cement failed to appear and did not send any representative to make their submissions.

Speaking about the non appearance of all the cement manufacturers, Rep. Gbefwi said th House and National Assembly is not in receipt of any court order restraining it from inviting anybody for an investigation.

He said: “We are trying to see to the development of our country. Just as it was emphasized in the opening remarks cement to building is what air is to each and every human being. Let me sound this warning the House of Representatives and the National Assembly is not in receipt of any court order restraining us from inviting anybody.

“And to this end, in the human nature of the House, because we owe them a duty of care, because they are equally Nigerians we are giving them 14 days in which to make their submissions if not, as we have sworn to uphold the constitution we will use everything within our powers to make sure that Nigerians, number one: are not taken for granted and number two are not exploited. 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’d gave to go to those lengths. Moreover, that God gas blessed us with this resources in abundance.

So, as it is the resolution of this joint committee, we are giving them 14 days from now, and not 14 working days, 14 effective days to make sure that they make their submissions and appear before this House”.

In his opening remarks, the Deputy Speaker of the House, Rep. Benjamin Kalu, assured that the House is actively working to establish appropriate legislation that promotes and encourages industrialization, as well as supports small and medium enterprises.

Kalu explained that the hearing is as a result of the deep concern of the House for the people it represents and the need for transparent engagement with key stakeholders in the cement industry, particularly the manufacturers.

According to Kalu, the persistent increase in cement prices has had detrimental effect on the ‘built environment’ and Nigeria at large, which is evident in a huge housing deficit presently in Nigeria.

He said: “We are committed to collaborating with both cement manufacturers and end-users, believing this is the most effective way to improve the quality of life and standard of living for our citizens. We are

also dedicated to enacting laws that 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 persistent rise in cement prices has had a detrimental impact not only on the built environment but also on the entire economy. Cement is a fundamental component used in construction projects like bridges, dams, houses, waterworks, and road infrastructure. This makes addressing this issue paramount.

“According to a study by researchers at the African Development Bank in the ‘Housing Market Dynamics in Africa’ book, there

is a housing deficit of up to 16.9 million units. According to the World Bank,

Lagos, Ibadan, Kano, and Abuja, have a 20 percent rise in housing needs yearly. The current total output in the formal housing sector is estimated at no more than 100,000 units”.

Deputy Speaker asserted that bridging this gap requires affordable and accessible cement prices for both the government and the private sector.

“While factors like exchange rates have contributed to the price increases

across various commodities, it is encouraging to see the positive results of

the “renewed hope” administration’s policies under the leadership of His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Notably, the Naira has shown remarkable strength against the dollar in recent weeks, and Fitch Ratings, a global credit rating agency, recently revised Nigeria’s credit outlook to positive

from stable”, he added.

Earlier in his welcome address, Rep. Gbefwi said that Nigeria has high housing deficit of about 3 million houses and a huge infrastructural deficit.

He said that the issue of cement prices increase is an all important issue that affects not just the building and construction industry but the economy and the generality of our citizens, .

He stated: “Indeed the recent events that led to the skyrocketing of the price of cement in Nigeria has been worrisome and of great concern as its inflicting untold hardship on Nigerians.

“To close this gab, both Government and the private sector must be articulate and deliberate in puting the right policies and parameters in place that can help promote, induce and or encourage development.

Therefore, should price of cement which is a major component of our infrastructural development continues to soar uncontrollably, the tendency to stifle life out of that sector is high and the consequences are dare and detrimental.

“It is in the light of this, that the parliament resolved to have critical stake holders like you to discuss elaborately on the causes for the high increase and the possible ways we can collectively navigate out to bring succor to our people.

“The Right Hon speaker in his wisdom did not only declare this event open but assured that this is not in anyway a whitch-hunt but an open discuss with a view to finding lasting solutions to our problem within the built environment. Permit me to emphasize on the importance of this public hearing and the need to de- emphasize the notion created by some Companies relevant to this Investigation under the guise that committees of Parliament has no Powers to invite Private outfits to appear before it. It is on record that there is no Order of the Courts presented restraining the Committee from exercising its functions under section 88(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution as Ammended.

“Our review of cement prices in other countries like Kenya, India and Zambia for 2021 alone shows that Nigeria has the highest price of cement using the official exchange rates for each Country. Nigeria’s price of cement doubles that of India at a difference of 69%, similarily the price is 29% higher than that in Kenya and 39% higher in Zambia. Hence the need for us to come together and find out why. In order to bring succor to our citizens while protecting investors alike”, the committee chairman said.

He said the concern of the House is for all legitimate businesses especially cement production Companies in Nigeria to thrive and deliver their objective and services to the people in such a manner that can foster development.

Other ministries, organisations expected to appear are the ministry of solid minerals, Central Bank of Nigeria, Nigeria Customs Service, ministry of trade and Investment, ministry of Petroleum Resources, ministry of Environment, Bureau for Statistics, Nigerian Export Processing Zone Authority, Council of Nigerian Mining Engineers, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Cement manufacturers association of Nigeria, Nigeria building research institute, mines cadastral office, COREN and NJSC

News

Just in; Chief of Staff to Kwara Gov is dead

Published

6 minutes ago

December 28, 2024

Naijablitznews

Prince AbdulKadir Mahe, the Chief of Staff to Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq, is dead.

He passed away on Saturday morning, December 28, 2024.

He will be buried today at his home on Moro Street, Adewole Estate, Ilorin, after the Asr prayer.

The governor and others have sent their sympathies to his family and loved ones.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye confirmed the development also confirmed in a statement.

The statement said: “In total submission to the will of Allaah, we regret to announce the passing of the Chief of Staff to His Excellency, Prince AbdulKadir Mahe.

“He died this morning, December 28, 2024, as has been destined by Allaah.

“The late CoS will be buried today at his residence on Moro Street, Adewole Estate, Ilorin, after the Asr prayer.

His Excellency deeply mourns the death of Prince AbdulKadir Mahe, a perfect gentleman, community leader, urbane public servant, and a statesman.

“The governor commiserates with the Emir of Ilorin, Alh. Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, the immediate family of Prince AbdulKadir; government establishments; and cabinet members.

“We ask for the understanding of everyone at this mournful period as the government and family mourn the quintessential public servant.

“We pray that Allaah accept his return, ease his accounts, admit him to al-jannah Firdaus, and uphold his family upon goodness

News

BLACKOUT as TCN Announces Power Outage In Abuja

Published

3 hours ago

December 28, 2024

Naijablitznews

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has announced planned power outages in certain areas this weekend to allow for maintenance work on its transmission equipment.

According to a statement by the General Manager of Public Affairs, Mrs. Ndidi Mbah, the exercise is aimed at ensuring better service delivery.

On Saturday, December 28, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Gwagwalada and nearby communities will experience a temporary power outage. This is to allow engineers to perform maintenance on a 60MVA transformer and related switchgear at the Gwagwalada Transmission Substation.

Similarly, on Sunday, December 29, 2024, power will be interrupted in several areas, including Wuye, EFCC, Federal Medical Centre, Coca-Cola, Idu Railway Station, Citec, and Life Camp. The outage will occur from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. as engineers carry out work on another 60MVA transformer at the Kukwaba Transmission Substation.

In the statement, TCN apologized for the inconvenience caused by the outages and sought the understanding of affected customers. It emphasized the importance of the maintenance work to ensure the power equipment functions optimally. “TCN apologizes for the inconvenience this may cause, especially during the end-of-year season. However, it is important that maintenance is carried out as scheduled for optimal performance of power equipment,” the statement read.

News

BREAKING! Confusion trails free train ride, hundreds of passengers stranded(PHOTOS)

Published

3 hours ago

December 28, 2024

Naijablitznews

* As train is delayed, NRC officials demand tickets

By Emmanuel Agaji

The much publicised tree train ride for passengers travelling to different destinations along the Itakpe/ Warri route may be a hoax as officials of the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) at Itakpe, Kogi State, demand e-tickets and other evidence of payment for the trip.

Naojablitznews observed that upon arrival at the train station, travellers are accosted by the train operators to show their tickets to confirm their booking for the ride.

When a passenger shows his ticket, he is allowed to move into the Departure Lounge while those who had arrived on the assumption that the train ride was free are shoved aside , told to write down their names on a sheet of paper and stay under a canopy until those who paid for the trip have been allocated seats on the train.

The Federal Government had, a few days ago announced that Nigerians will enjoy free train rides during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

The government also announced that transportation by road would be subsidised up to fifty per cent. However, these promises appear to have been mere propaganda.

The situation has left many travellers confused and stranded especially as
the train which ought to take off from Itakpe at t 2 pm on Saturday has not shown up at the station as at 3.16 pm.

Hundreds of passengers are currently stranded and waiting under the scorching heat of the sun as officials continue their discriminatory admission of passengers into the Departure Lounge.

There are fears that the train may not hit the station until about 4 pm and many passengers may not have space on it because of the perceived underhand dealings by the train officials.

While the officials of the Itakpe Train Station continue to plead for understanding over the delay of the train, their emphasis has been on how to cater for those who booked online for the trip and very little or no emphasis is made to reassure those who came for the free ride announced by the Federal Government that they were at the right place.